Minter Goode, Mary Lee

Mary Lee passed away peacefully in the early evening of Sunday, July 25th. She was 97 years old.

Mary Lee was born January 3, 1924 in Charlotte, NC. Just a few years later her father's work transferred the family to Hartford Connecticut where my mother lived until going to college.

Mary Lee excelled in school and was active in student government in both high school and college. Mary Lee attended Connecticut College. She graduated in 1946 with a degree in early child hood education.

During her early years at Connecticut College she met and fell in love with a Coast Gaud Academy cadet, Richard W. Goode. Ensign Goode would return form the war in the summer of 1946. They married in July of 1946. They were married for just over 65 years.

Mary Lee applied her education to the teaching profession in the early elementary grades, Kindergarten, and preschool. She took a short break in her career to have two children, but returned to the classroom until Richard retired from the Coast Guard in 1972.

Mary Lee was always active in volunteer activities but

when she and Richard retired to East Lyme, CT she devoted herself to many worthwhile local organization; altar guild at St John's Episcopalian church in Niantic, Child and Family Services, Lawrence & Memorial Hospital, Flanders Elementary School library, as well as the Connecticut College Alumni Association.

Mary Lee always made time for fun. She was a member of several bridge clubs, bowling leagues, and a needlework club. She always made time for her true summer time passion which was going to the beach every opportunity she had.

Mary Lee was a devoted and loving wife. She loved being a Coast Guard wife. She was an amazing mother. She was caring, and gentle. She was a stanch supporter of both her children though out their education, career

choices, and their own family choices. She was an amazing ‘Nana”. She loved to cuddle with she grandchildren, reading books to them, playing games, or explore the beach. Mary Lee was also blessed to meet

and spend time with her four great-grandchildren. Mary Lee was predeceased by her mother and father; Mary Lee Tanner Minter and William Obadiah Minter; her husband Richard William Goode; and her brother William Obadiah Minter, Jr.

Mary Lee Is survived by her daughter and son, Debbie Goode-Jones (Eilis McRae Jones, Jr.) and David Goode (Liz Rogers); six grandchildren, Mary Lee Shumate (David), Tanner Rogers-Goode (Andrea), Sydney Verd

(Ben), Chris Jones (Kelly), Brian Jones, and Jeff Jones (Valerie); seven great-grandchildren, Micah Shumate, Ella Shumate, Kennedy Goode, Beckett Goode, Courtney

Leonard, Tessa Jones, and Klara Jones; sister in-laws Margaret Goode and Jeri Minter; and 5 nieces and nephew, Scott Minter Gay Ann Larson, Katie Goode, Liz Dowd, and Sarah Kjellman.

A memorial service is planned at St John's Episcopalian church in Niantic on Thursday, August 26th at 10am.

In lieu of flowers, donation can be made in memory of Mary Lee Goode to St. John's Episcopalian Church

in 400 Main St, PO Box 810, Niantic, CT 06357, Or the Connecticut College Office of College Advancement, 270 Mohegan Ave., New London, CT 06320.

Please sign guestbook at courant.com/obituaries