CUMBERLAND – Marjorie Anne (Gaskell) Goodwin, 93, of Farmington, died Tuesday June 15, 2022 after a short illness and a longer struggle with dementia at the Heron House in Cumberland.
She was born at the family home in Farmington on June 13, 1929 to Arthur L and Nellie M. (Rose) Gaskell. She graduated from Farmington High School in 1947 and went to Westbrook Junior College graduating in 1949. After college she worked in Portland for the Cummings Brother Wholesale Grocers and Aetna Life group insurance for several years. She returned to Farmington and went to work for the University of Maine Co-op Extension retiring in 1994 after 38 years.
She was married to Ralph E Goodwin who predeceased her. Her two siblings Arthur H. (Jack) Gaskell and Marion R. (Gaskell) Mitchell also predeceased her. She is survived by her daughter Sandra Blanchard (Dennis), three grandchildren Althea (Nate), David (Danielle) and Curtis (Sarah) and 3 great grandchildren Elias, Leo and Ellie Mae. She is also survived by her nieces Beverly Walker (Jack) and Janet O’Neil (Dennis), her nephew Arthur Gaskell (Sharon), her stepdaughter Brenda Herbert, cousins Bob Verhoeven (Joannie) and Paul Verhoeven (Julia) and numerous grand nieces and nephews.
She had a lifelong love of animals from her early years, living at the former Stanwood Park Zoo and working at the family farm during her school years and after her return to Farmington. She was a horse lover and owned three horses at different times, Red Chief, a retired Calvary horse, Wise Wonder Girl, a Tennessee Walker mare and Misty. She owns several Boxers and many cats throughout her life. She loved the outdoors, hunted, fished, and was a knowledgeable gardener and lifelong walker.
She was an independent, strong, hard-working woman with many interests and friends. You always knew where you stood with her. You also knew you could count on her help in times of need. She will be missed by all. May God Bless her.
We thank the compassionate and caring staff at the Heron House in Cumberland for her care these last weeks. If you would care to make a contribution in her memory to the Franklin County Animal Shelter, 550 Industry Road, Farmington, ME 04938; her family would be most appreciative.
A memorial service will be held in July when the family can gather. Memories may be share in her Book of Memories at www.wilesrc.com. Cremation care and memorial services are being cared for and provided by the Wiles Remembrance Center of Farmington.
We have already missed seeing Marjorie on her walks. She always stopped to see if she could see the fire tower on Mt. Blue in the distance, a mountain she had previously hiked many times. She has made me more mindful about stopping and taking the time look too. Our condolences to her family.
Marjorie was a kind and generous soul. She also served for many years on the board of the Care and Share Food Closet. She will be missed by all those who knew her.
A wonderful spirit it was a pleasure to know. She and her husband Ralph, a one time Farmington Selectman, major plumbing and heating contractor, and public spirited citizen, were in the vanguard of the community for many years.
Always grateful to Ralph for saving me some of the anguish of riding my bicycle back to Farmington from Dot Wirth’s house- where Ralph also put in time working – on Varnum’s Pond after many an afternoon of lawn mowing chores out there, loading the bike into the back of his pick up truck and giving me a lift back into town on many an occasion, this after a few intriguing discussions he, myself, Dot – whose husband was the long time owner of the Franklin Journal – and Dot’s granddaughter and I might have on issues of the day, a few years back in time.
A good animal loving gal. RIP Marjorie.
MARJ
A special kind of lady who had
a beautiful singing angelic
voice.
When she sang you could feel the
Godly words and gladly
rejoice.
She dressed in comfort with
her white-brim safari hat.
She greeted everyone with a
friendly smile even though
she was in pain that she
had to combat.
She walked the talk and
always had an answer.
Never mind holding her tongue;
she let it feisty wander.
As far as quickly getting to where
she wanted to go!
There is only one word that would
fit…and that was ‘SLOW’!
She didn’t let anger take a bite
out of her soul.
She had a great sense of humor
about the way of being old.
She was beloved by everyone at
Henderson Memorial Baptist
Church in Farmington, Maine.
Marj, your on your way to your
new home in Heaven
-Greg Zemlansky
(Dedicated to Marj Goodwin’s Family)