Donna Ruth Goodrich, 84, of Walton passed away on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023 at Robinson Terrace Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center.
Donna was born at home on May 18, 1938, in Walton to Edith Durfee Goodrich and Victor B. Goodrich.
Donna graduated from Walton Central School in June 1956, where she was part of a small group of close-knit friends. She was active in Honor Society as a member and vice president. She was also a member of chorus, dramatic club, library club, orchestra, county mass orchestra, and yearbook staff. She also participated in Girl Scouts, 4-H, and prize speaking. She attended Hartwick College in the nursing program and worked for a period at Delaware Valley Hospital in Walton. Subsequently, she graduated from Hudson Valley Community College as a dental hygienist. She worked in dental offices in Albany, Oneonta, Walton Central School at the Townsend School.
Donna was a faithful and lifelong member of the Walton First Baptist Church where she was involved in various church activities. She was devoted to her church, her family, friends, and especially to the care of her mother and her rescue cats. Whenever Donna was faced with a new health issue or problem, she always stated that she was a “fighter” and would get through it somehow. She moved to the pavilion in Stamford in 2016 where she resided up until a year ago. In her time in recent years in Stamford she especially enjoyed her companion cat, Shelly, reading books, creating and writing cards to friends and family.
Donna was predeceased by her parents, a brother, Victor B. Goodrich Jr., and brother-in-law, William Brooks.
She is survived by a sister, Marjorie Brooks, Poughkeepsie, niece Kathleen Goodrich Arling (Daniel) West Virginia and Michigan, nephew Michael Goodrich Edgewater, Fla. She was also blessed by having several special friends Eleanor Anbari, Loretta Beckmann, Shirley Foreman, Linda Hoffman, Sue Jennings and Debra Skinner, and a number of caregivers over the years.
Services will be held privately and at the convenience of the family. Memorial contributions in Donna’s memory may be made to the First Baptist Church Building Fund.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Courtney Funeral Home, Walton. Condolences to the family may be made online at www.courtneyfh.com
