Elizabeth H. Goodale

Elizabeth 'Liz' H. Goodale, a retired Teacher, passed away peacefully at her home in Richfield Springs May 17 at the age of 85.

Born in Utica, NY on September 13, 1938, Liz was raised in West Winfield, NY.  After graduating from West Winfield High School, she attended Albany State College for her Teacher's Accreditation and furthered her education with a Bachelor's Degree from Utica College and Master's Degree from Syracuse University both in Social Studies Education.   Moving to Richfield Springs in 1967, where she and her husband, John 'Jack', made their home and raised their Family.

To say teaching and her students were her passion would be an understatement.  Her career spanned an impressive 56 years within the Frankfort- Schuyler School District.    Starting in 1962 as an Elementary teacher, she retired in 2018 after decades of teaching History and Economics to High School students.  For many years, she taught side by side with her husband, Jack.  Teaching, counseling and mentoring generations, she took great pride in their achievements after graduating and delighted when they kept in touch to tell her all about their new lives and adventures.  Many were impressed by her dedication and passion for teaching and chose careers in the education field such as her 'Honey Girl~Caitlin' who stayed affectionately in her heart.   The hundreds and hundreds of students often kindheartedly referred to by the Family as her 'third child'.

She had respect and fondness for the Frankfort Faculty, Office and Custodial Staff and Administration.    Over those many years, numerous became Family and were greatly missed as they retired and when she retired.

Liz was recognized as one of the 'Who's Who Among America's Teachers', an impressive tribute voted on by former students to honor her teaching excellence.    In addition to academic responsibilities, she was co-advisor for the yearbook committee, Chairperson of the National Honor Faculty Committee, member NYSUT, worked with the NY State Department of Education Social Studies Regents Program and the Utica College Student Teaching Program.

She was also a member of Greenpeace, The World Wildlife Fund and Amnesty International.

In the 1960s, she was active in providing equal education to all children by volunteering to teach during the summers to migrant camp children.   Often ending the summer with a celebratory BBQ for everyone at her Richfield Springs home.

For anyone who knew Liz, you would know her favorite place to be was sitting on her Bronner Street porch while enjoying time spent with Family and Friends.   She enjoyed gardening, reading and had a deep love for all animals (except snakes – she really disliked snakes), providing a home to countless adopted animals throughout her life.   She spent many years as a volunteer at KARE, a cat rescue haven.

Liz is preceded in death by her husband, John 'Jack' G. Goodale (decd 2001), parents Anna and Francis Horigan (decd 1983/1975), brother George Horigan (decd 2004) and son-in-law James R. Deans JR (decd 2019), She is survived by son, John 'Jack' Cooper and his partner Carrie Lynn Gardner of Richfield Springs, NY and daughter Kellie Cooper Deans of Daytona Beach, FL; sister-in-law Shirley Horigan of Canandaigua, NY; grandchildren, Todd Cooper, Kevin Cooper and his wife Kristen, and Paige Cooper and great-grandchildren, Ava Cooper and Mason, Aiden and Jackson Cooper, many nieces and nephews and her beloved fur companions felines Annie and Barney and pup Willow.

The Family would like to thank the Richfield Springs Volunteer Fire Department Rescue Squad, the staff at Bassett Medical Center and her home care Team Patty Gardner, Sue Maldonado and Kelly Richmond for all the kind care they had shown to her over the past few years.

Expressions of sympathy in Liz's memory may be made in donations to Richfield Springs Volunteer Fire Department 34 E. James St.  Richfield Springs, NY and Herkimer County Humane Society https://www.herkimerhumanesociety.org/ .

A private service will be held at a later date.

Funeral arrangements are with J. Seaton McGrath Funeral Home 40 West James Street Richfield Springs, NY