Mary Margaret Goedde
Mary M. Goedde RN 02.19.1950 – 09.20.2014. The first daughter born to Edith and Lawrence Goedde. Sister to Larry, Barb, Cathy, Liz and Margie and special friend to Mark Davis. Aunt to Larry Goedde, William Goedde, Robby Stevson, Julie Salmo Coenen, Michelle Salmo. Tony Salmo and beloved friend to us all.
Our world is now short one beautiful person.
Mary was a registered nurse with St. Louis Children’s Hospital, Salvation Army Hope Center For Children and Nazareth Living Center. Her nursing career began with children, progressed to teenagers and ended with the elderly. Much more than a nurse, she was a social worker and activist as well. In her retirement she aided the housebound elderly.
Mary deeply loved her family and was always there to share kind support.
Mary devoted her life to helping those who could not help themselves and was an outspoken advocate for those whose voices were not heard. Her efforts on behalf of those who were ill, injured and powerless were unceasing. She dearly loved animals and was a foster “Aunt Mary” for many, many four legged friends. Her great love for children, animals and the elderly knew no boundaries.
Mary lived her life carefully and walked upon our planet gently, choosing to buy her clothing from thrift shops and using everyday things cast off by others. She was a vegetarian and vowed not to eat any creature that could cry for its mother. Though trained in modern medicine, Mary knew that the secret to health was the body’s ability to heal itself.
Mary loved to garden, both for beauty and for food. She started and maintained plots in Missouri and Illinois, traveling often with a trowel and a green thumb. She was also widely read and amassed quite a library.
Mary found beauty in the complex as well as the commonplace. She recorded and preserved this beauty in her writing, photography and art glass; spreading that glorious color and shape with the flowers and plants she nurtured.
Mary will be sorely missed. She would not want us to mourn any longer than what is required to be healed by our own spirit. Those of us who knew and loved her must now find our way alone.
Mary requested that donations be made in her memory to Stray Rescue of St. Louis http://www.strayrescue.org/
A memorial gathering is planned for Sunday, October 12, beginning at Noon at Jefferson Barracks Park a place that Mary dearly loved. We will assemble at the pavilion near the archery range. All are welcome to attend. You need only bring your joyous memories of Mary and the love you carry in your heart.
For more information on the memorial or to communicate with Mary’s family please email: marygoeddememorial@yahoo.com
So sorry to hear about Mary I went to nursing school with her she was very smart and funny as well. Sorry for your loss.
I had the pleasure of knowing Mary through our work at the Salvation Army Hope Center. She was a wonderful support and friend. My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time.
Dear Family of Mary,
It is hard to learn of Mary’s passing. She was good person and a caring soul. She always was thinking of the next person before herself. Mary worked the Evening Shift @ St. Louis Children’s Hospital & I on the Night Shift back in the old hospital on 4D (Neurology/NeuroSurgery). Mary was thoughtful and always lent a hand to help you no matter how busy she was. She also could berate you and apologize in the next sentence if she felt she hurt your feelings. She was an old soul of sorts; It seemed as if she was from a different era for her time here. She will be missed greatly by her Family & Friends, In Christ’s Love for All of HIS Children,
I was so sorry to hear of Mary’s death, and on this-just over 2 year-anniversary of her death, I just want you to know that she is still fondly remembered by her DePaul friends. I have included her obituary in our
booklet for the Class of February 1971.
Wishing you peace…