Mary Goodwin

Mary Clack Goodwin, 83, of Alton, Ill., died Monday, Nov. 8, 2010, at Alton Memorial Hospital.

She was born Sept. 19, 1927, in her grandparents' home in East Prairie, Mo., to Ernest and Elsie Webb Clack. She and James L. Goodwin of Jackson were married June 19, 1950.

Mary graduated with a bachelor's degree in education from Southeast Missouri State University in 1950. She taught elementary education and music in the Alton School District and English at Western Military Academy in Alton. She enjoyed knitting and sewing, was an avid bridge player, and loved golf and dancing.

Mary was a member of the former Metropolitan United Methodist Church and Resurrection Lutheran Church, Junior Service League, Community Service League, past member and secretary of Jennie D. Hayner Library Association and longtime volunteer at Alton Memorial Hospital. Mary helped establish the Methodist worship service at the Rosewood Care Center and served as pianist for several years. Above all she was a loving wife, mother, sister and friend.

Survivors include her husband of 60 years, Jim of Alton; three children, Lee Goodwin and wife Jean of Marinette, Wis., Cathryn Goodwin and husband George Schatz of Princeton, N.J., Sarah Goodwin Thiel and husband David Thiel of Lawrence, Kan.; eight grandchildren, Joshua (Melissa) Gaghen, Elijah (Abby) Gaghen, Emily (Adam) Elsey, Anna (Loran) Berg, Laura Goodwin, Alyssa Thiel, Rachel Schatz and Charlie Thiel; two great-grandchildren, Grace Gaghen and Ellasyn Gaghen; and a sister, Cathryn Adams of Jefferson City, Mo.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Alan Clack.

Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until service time Friday at Resurrection Lutheran Church, 1211 W. Homer Adams Parkway, Godfrey, Ill.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the church, with the Rev. Kenneth Tegtmeier presiding. A gathering for friends and family will be held at the church after the service.

Elias, Kallal and Schaaf Funeral Home in Alton is in charge of arrangements.

Memorials may be made to Resurrection Lutheran Church or Alton Memorial Health Services Foundation.

Online condolences may be made at www.eliaskallalandschaaf.com.