Donna Lou Sweet Goodman ascended into heaven having passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, November 15, 2018. She was 84 years old and a longtime resident of Winchester, MA.
A loving and caring wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, cousin, and friend, she was known by all for her passion for those individuals and causes held close to her heart. Beloved wife for 39 years to the late Dr. Max L. Goodman, she is survived by two sons, Michael T. Goodman (Elizabeth), Mandeville, LA, and Jeffery P. Goodman (Julieann), Milton, MA; daughter Laura J. Goodman, San Diego, CA; grandchildren Peter M. Gahagan (Erica), Covington, LA, Paul J. Goodman, Liam M. Goodman, and James M. Goodman all of Milton, MA; great-grandchildren, Liam M. Gahagan and Emelia M. Gahagan of Covington, LA and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
She was born January 16, 1934 in Skiatook, OK, the daughter of Thomas Sweet and Bonnibel Brown Sweet and raised in Pineville, MO with the loving assistance of her grandparents, James and Rose Brown. She made her motion picture debut at the age of 4 as an extra in the 1939 film about Jesse James starring Tyrone Power and Henry Fonda that was filmed in McDonald County, Missouri. At a young age she discovered her love of music, learning to play piano, clarinet, and saxophone, and she was enamored by many musical genres, yet most fond of jazz. She completed high school early and then after graduating from the University of Arkansas, she embarked on a summer bicycling journey through Europe, and often told of how one day she inadvertently pedaled her way into the midst of the Tour de France. In Memphis, TN, Donna made history as part of the pioneer research team that conducted America’s first large-scale “Pap” smear screening study for cervical carcinoma. Her devoted faith started with her attendance at Sunday school at her hometown Methodist Church and culminated in her 55 years as an active member of Winchester’s Crawford Memorial Methodist Church. She was proud of her involvement in the establishment of Crawford’s nursery school program. Donna participated in various Winchester community activities, including the A Better Chance (ABC) program, the Winton Club, and the Home & Garden Club. She enjoyed being outdoors (especially barefoot), genealogy, historical preservation, birding, spending time with friends and family and needling the three Red Sox fans she raised about her unending love of the New York Yankees. Donna was a unique, intelligent, devoted, hard-working, independent, generous, and caring woman, who left a memorable impact on everyone who knew her. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a memorial gathering scheduled to be held at Crawford Memorial Methodist Church, 34 Dix Street, Winchester, MA 01890 on Sunday, November, 25, 2018 at 2:00 pm and reception to follow. Interment will be private at a later date. The family wishes to extend a special appreciation to Donna’s hospice and medical providers. In lieu of flowers, please consider celebrating Donna’s life with a donation in her memory to the charity of your choice.