Jeanie Goff
Jeanie Goff was a spirited, hardworking, fun-loving, curious, and kind mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend. She was born to Russell and Lily Hoppenrath in Minneapolis, Minnesota on January 10, 1940 and bid us farewell in Kirkland, Washington on December 31, 2019. She took her last breath to Hey Jude by The Beatles.
Jeanie’s life was not typical. Over her 79 years, Jeanie was a single parent, a housewife, a union phone operator, a library assistant, a soccer mom, a travel agent and tour guide, an Avon lady, the wife of a spy, the partner of a preacher, the owner of and bead maker in a glass bead shop, a florist, a master gardener, a volunteer, a genealogist, and a mandolinist. Circumstances forced her to reinvent herself time and again—and she did so with an open mind and heart. Jeanie approached life with enthusiasm and, when asked whether she wanted to go or see or do something, always answered, “Yes.”
Jeanie said yes to experiencing new cultures by visiting many wonderful places in the world. She lived in Berlin and traveled to Asia, Turkey, Greece, the Caribbean, Central America, Africa, the Middle East, Norway, Spain, Portugal…and nearly every other European country. She had cherished stories and mementos from every trip she took.
She said yes to being surrounded by animals—beginning with the goats and chickens she kept as pets as a child and including many dogs and granddogs.
She said yes to good food and any competition on the Food Network—and proudly rooting on her daughter, Julie, through her culinary pursuits all the way to the Food Network herself.
She said yes to helping people track their roots as a genealogist. This family historian loved a good genealogical mystery as evidenced by her boxes and boxes…and boxes of documentation.
She said yes by taking up the mandolin at age 70 and attending bluegrass festivals all over the Pacific Northwest. This surprised no one who was close to her since Jeanie was a music lover from a young age. As a child, she spent hours listening to her father play the fiddle and took accordion and piano lessons. As an adult, she attended as many operas and classical music performances as she could. Plus, she never missed one of her son Jon’s shows, whether they were classy, crashy, clangy, or twangy. No matter the style, she’d usually show up in a fancy hat. Jeanie truly embodied the idea that it’s never too late to try something new.
Finally, Jeanie said yes to steadfastly loving her family. Jeanie is survived by her daughter, Julie; son, Jon; granddaughters, Kelly and Jessica; son-in-law, Vinny; grandson-in-law, Chad; brothers, Al and Tommy; brother-in-law, Mickey; sisters-in-law, Marilyn, Jenny, Kathy, and Kathy; cousins; and friends and additional relatives around the world. She loved and buried two men, her husband, John Goff, and her partner, David Jones.
Jeanie Goff was loved by everyone who knew her and is dearly missed. But we will strive to carry on her zest for life. To opportunities and experiences, from this day forward, in honor of Jeanie, the answer is…
Yes.
Service details
January 10, 2020
2 pm
Reception to follow in the Parish Hall
Trinity Parish Church
609 8th Avenue
Seattle, WA 98104-1997
In lieu of gifts
The family asks that anyone who would like to contribute please donate to one of the following charities in lieu of flowers, food, or other gifts. Jeanie would love to know that she was continuing to help others after she was no longer able.
American Stroke Association
Donate by phone: 1-800-AHA-USA1
Chicken Soup Brigade
Get more info: (206) 957-1686
Note “For CSB” in the comments
Little Kids Rock
Get more info: (973) 746-8248