Mary Louise Hewitt Goodwin

“When Irish eyes are smiling, they will steal your heart away!” This was true for Mary Louise Hewitt Goodwin, who went to be with Her Lord on May 1, 2015. Everyone she met was her friend; she knew no stranger. Mary Lou was the daughter of Esther Kathryn Mullery and Glenn Dana Hewitt. She was born in Greenleaf, Kansas on March 22, 1917. Marylou grew up in Omaha, Nebraska where she met and married the love of her life, Wayne Oliver Goodwin. They were married on May 30, 1942 at Holy Cross Church in Omaha. There they had three children, Lynn Hanley of Spokane, Washington, Richard Goodwin (Eileen) of Lake Oswego, Oregon, and Laura Garrett (Steve) of Olympia, Washington. In 1956, Wayne was promoted by his employer, the Union Pacific, which took them to Spokane. Those years from 1957 to 1972 were happy times for Mary Lou, enjoying the beautiful Northwest, raising her family and working at Gonzaga University in the Financial Aid Department, a job she loved, helping young people finance their education. She was active in St. Augustine Parish and enjoyed her garden. In 1972, Wayne’s job transferred them to Los Angeles. For the next five years, they enjoyed exploring California. Wayne retired in 1977 and they returned to Spokane, after an extensive trip to the British Isles where Wayne researched the family genealogy, his passion, and wrote a book for their family. Back in Spokane, Mary Lou became active at Our Lady of Fatima Parish and enjoyed her social sorority, Beta Sigma Phi; her garden; and many road trips. In 1992, they moved to Olympia where the weather was milder and life was slower. They were members at St. Michael Catholic Church, were Mary Lou volunteered in the office and at Bread and Roses shelter. They lived in Colonial Estates and enjoyed many friendships there. In 2001, Wayne went home to be with His Lord. Mary Lou moved into Woodland Retirement Community in 2004 and was their first resident. She was active in their Red Hat Society, her new parish of Sacred Heart, and hosted the Communion group for many years. Over the years, she made many dear friends at Woodland, enjoyed country rides, family dinners and vacations to Hawaii, which included parasailing at 85! What she enjoyed most were visits from her 13 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren, until she too went home to be with Her Lord and Wayne on May 1, 2015, at the age of 98. We will always love and miss you, Our Sweet Nanny! Our family gives our sincere thanks to the wonderful caregivers of Woodland Assisted Living and Assured Home Hospice. Please leave memories of Mary Lou or condolences for her family in the Guestbook below.