Margie S. Goodson

All who knew Margie Goodson would agree that she was truly beautiful on the inside and out. She was accompanied by an unwavering faith, and her life was an example of what it means to be the hands and feet of the Lord she loved. Although Margie took her roles as a wife and mother to heart, she thought nothing was better than becoming a grandmother later in life. She was determined at times, and she was never one to let laundry get the best of her! Taken from her loved ones without warning, Margie leaves behind a priceless collection of memories that her friends and family will forever hold near and dear to their hearts.

During the first half of the 1940s, the eyes of our nation were focused overseas as WWII was gaining momentum. Although neutral for a time, America was left with no choice but to engage in the fight for the preservation of our freedom after the vicious attack on our nation's naval base in Pearl Harbor. It was while countless young servicemen and women were serving overseas that Martin L. and Gladys M. (Beerbower) Lehman were pleased to announce the birth of the baby girl they named Marjorie S. on October 26, 1943, at home in Zanesville, Indiana.

Joined in her family by her sisters, Willowdean and Shirley, Margie was a young girl of her generation. Her family moved around and even went to Florida for a few years before returning to Fort Wayne. Margie attended Allen County schools, graduating from South Side High School in 1962. From there she went on to attend Commercial Business College to earn her associate's degree.

With her education behind her, Margie was eager for all that life had in store. She began working at General Telephone in Fort Wayne, and it was there that she met the young man of her dreams. His name was Don "Andy" Goodson, and he was the company mail boy. He eventually mustered up enough courage to ask Margie out and hat date led to more dates, and it wasn't long before the couple found themselves deeply in love. With a desire to spend the rest of their lives together, Andy proposed to Margie at Azar's Big Boy in Waynedale. The young couple married on May 7, 1966, at First Missionary Church in Fort Wayne. Andy soon took a job with Columbia Records, and they moved to Terra Haute. They later moved to Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, to pursue another job. While living in Wisconsin, Margie went to LPN school. It was also while living there that they were blessed to welcome two children, Sarah and James, into their hearts and home. The family moved back to Indiana when Andy accepted a job with Arcadia School Supply, settling in Columbia City in 1985. While living in Whitley County, Margie spent several years working in geriatrics. After beating breast cancer, she retired for a short time and then started working at ResCare Inc. in Fort Wayne from 1998 until 2011.

There was never anything of greater importance in Margie's life than her family. Her husband and children were her everything, and she fully devoted herself to caring for them. Even though camping and boating were not her first choice, Margie enjoyed these activities because her family did. If they liked doing it, she liked it too as she treasured family time and being with them most of all. While her daughter was serving in the United States Army, she and Andy made three trips to Europe to see her while she was stationed in Italy. They also traveled the countryside and made a trip to visit Sarah when she was in California. They stopped at many of the tourist spots along the way, visiting places like the Corn Palace and Mount Rushmore. They also enjoyed trips down to Florida and Niagara Falls. Margie was always very close to her sisters as well, and she loved spending time with her sister, Shirley.

Throughout her life Margie was a bustle of activity. She was a member of Columbia City United Methodist Church and Big Brothers/Big Sisters in Columbia City as she was a Big Sister in Whitley County for several years. Margie found doing laundry relaxing and gratifying. She saw stains as a personal challenge to overcome, and she was also a talented seamstress who regularly mended and tailored for her family. Margie made several quilts with a story behind each and every one that she made. Social and outgoing, she enjoyed helping host neighborhood parties with her husband. Margie loved tending to her flowers and going with her daughter to pick out fresh flowers at the market which allowed them to create floral arrangements together. She enjoyed getting boxes at thrift stores and then taking them home to sort through. Margie liked watching movies, but it wasn't uncommon for her to watch the same movie a few times since she often fell asleep while watching! One of her favorite traditions was watching The Christmas Carol with her two grandsons. Playing family games was another favorite, and among her favorite games were Scrabble and Up and Down. She also enjoyed playing Bridge.

Life was forever changed for Margie with the death of her husband on Tuesday, April 25, 2017. The following winter, she moved from their home in Columbia City to Fort Wayne.

With unending love for those around her, Margie Goodson was a gift in the lives of so many others. She had one of the most caring hearts around, and she lived to love and serve others. Margie was an amazing wife and mother, and there was no greater source of pride and joy in her life than her family. It was easy to see that she was married to her best friend, and together they experienced so many of the best things that life has to offer. Deeply loved, Margie will be forever missed.

Margie S. Goodson, of Columbia City, Indiana, passed away at 12:15 p.m. on Friday June 1, 2018 from injuries sustained from an auto accident. Margie's surviving family includes her children, Sarah Goodson, of Fort Wayne and James (April Sniadecki) Goodson, of South Bend; grandsons, Drew Goodson and Leo Goodson; soon to be granddaughter, Madilyn "Maddie"; and her very close sister, Shirley Shafer, of Indianapolis. Margie was preceded in death by her parents, Martin L. and Gladys M. Lehman; husband, Andy Goodson; and sister, Willowdean Foster.

Friends may call from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. on Friday June 8, 2018, at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Funeral services for Margie will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday June 9, 2018 at the funeral home with Pastor Fred Stayton officiating. Memorial contributions in memory of Margie may be made to Diabetes Youth Foundation of Indiana. Visit www.demoneygrimes.com to send the family an online condolence.