Frances Joanne Downing Goodwin

August 1, 1932 – November 4, 2023

Frances Joanne Downing Goodwin, 91, died Saturday, November 4, 2023 at the Ohana Care Adult Family Home in Lacey, Washington. Joanne was a fourth generation Oregonian, born in Eugene, Oregon, August 1, 1932. She was the second daughter born to the Reverend Earl and Mary (McGuire) Downing as she joined older sister Phyllis Rae. Four years later, her younger sister, Lois, joined the family. From Eugene, the Downing family moved to Coquille, Oregon, then Dufur, Oregon, and then Ashland, Oregon.

From the fourth grade on, Joanne matriculated through the Ashland public school system. She graduated as the valedictorian of her Junior High School, 9 th grade, as well as earning the honor of valedictorian of her High School class, 1950.

Joanne attended her first year of college at Southern Oregon College. She transferred the next year to Northwest Christian College (NCC) in Eugene where she met her future husband, Frank Goodwin. Frank and Joanne were married at the Church of Christ in Ashland, Oregon on June 19, 1953. A year later, 1954, she graduated from NCC in June, and gave birth to son Doug in July. Four weeks later, she and Frank moved to Cumberland, Iowa as Frank entered seminary at Drake University in Des Moines. In 1956, Joanne and Frank added to their family a second son with the birth of Larry in Greenfield, Iowa.

When Frank graduated from Drake in 1957, the family moved back to Oregon, to the town of Burns. In 1959, Gary was born, their third son. Joanne played organ at Church, taught private piano lessons at home, and in the middle 60’s was hired as music teacher at the Junior High School.

In 1970, the Goodwin family moved to Lacey, Washington. Joanne was hired by the Rainer School District, teaching sixth grade, later kindergarten, and then serving as principal of the elementary school. She earned two master’s degrees. One from the University of Oregon in Education. A second in Public Administration at Pacific Lutheran University.

After a long career in education, Joanne retired to enjoy traveling and family gatherings. In addition to traveling within the United States, she traveled to the United Kingdom, Greece, Turkey, Israel and Italy. She was the hub of the family, organizing trips, and inviting family and friends to come enjoy time on Long Lake.

Joanne is preceded in death by her husband, Frank. Her parents, Earl and Mary Downing. Her sister Phyllis Rae Schrom. Survivors include Sister, Lois Dodson (Berwyn). Brother-in-law: Marvin Schrom. Son, Douglas (Marcy) Sheridan, Wyoming; Son, Larry (Annie) West Richland, WA; Son, Gary (Jodie) Olympia, WA. Grandchildren: Jonathan (Michelle), Megan (Alberto), Allison (Joshua), Devin, Garrett (Kathryn), Halle (Andy), and Caitlyn (Mike). Great Grandchildren: Aurora (Carson), Christian, Jacob. Max, Nora, Sophia, Selene, Ryder. Isaac and Owen. Lainey.

Memorial services are planned for Saturday, December 2, 2023, 1 pm at the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Olympia, Washington. Memorials may be sent to: First Christian Church, P. O. Box 2850, Olympia, WA 98507; or, send a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association, alz.org.

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