Jean Goens Rasmussen

Jean Priscilla Goens Rasmussen, the daughter of a U.S. Navy seaman, who lived in numerous places but always lovingly called Pensacola home, devoted family woman and wife of 55 years, endearing to those who encountered her, beach-vacation lover, People magazine and Family Feud devotee, loyal Florida Gators fan and self-proclaimed corn on the cob, saltwater taffy and fruit salad connoisseur, was called home by her Lord and Savior on April 30, 2025. A resilient fighter until the very end, Jean died at age 79 at home after a heroic, eight-year battle with cancer.

Jean was born on March 3,1946, in Dumbarton, Scotland to Robert and Margaret Goens. Jean and Margaret, a World War II Navy bride, came to the United States in late 1946 and first lived in Hampton, Va. While growing up, Jean, the oldest of four daughters, and her family moved every three years and lived in various parts of the country, including Rhode Island, Illinois and Key West, often with various Scottish aunts and uncles who joined the Goens family from overseas. She graduated from Escambia High School in 1964.

Jean ventured from the beaches of the Florida Panhandle to those of Hawaii, where she worked at the local Navy base commissary bagging groceries, and later San Diego, where she worked at a bank alongside her high-school best friend. Jean later returned to Pensacola and met her husband, Paul, on a blind date. Always a fashionista, Jean’s head-to-toe yellow outfit, from hair scarf to shoes, blended well with Paul’s yellow MGB British sports car.

Paul and Jean married in 1970, an event that marked the beginning of their lifelong devotion to one another. They were stationed in Guam as part of Paul’s Navy service. From 1973 to 1975, Jean worked in the financial aid department at the University of Florida’s Tigert Hall to put Paul through law school.

After settling in Pensacola in 1975, Jean became a mother to Kristen, Brittany and Michael—her most valued role and greatest pride and who Jean always said got their smarts from their daddy and their good looks from her. During this time, Jean earned her associate’s degree from Pensacola Junior College, volunteered at her children’s schools and with their activities, enjoyed remaining physically active, valued special time with her family, including weeks at the beach and at the annual “Christmas Houses,” and engaged in community service, including as a tour guide for the Pensacola Historical Society, a Daisy Troop leader and member of the Pensacola Jr. Woman’s Club. Jean worked in the front offices of Workman Middle and Booker T. Washington High schools, where she was always helpful, caring and warm toward students, faculty and staff and from which she retired in 2008. Perhaps most importantly, Jean cultivated deep and meaningful relationships through her community involvement, public-school employment and active membership in First Baptist Church of Pensacola and cherished her longtime participation in her Chat and Chew Group, a tight group of women who regularly socialized and traveled together for nearly 15 years and of which Jean was a proud founding member.

Jean was a doting grandmother to Kit, Garet and Ryan, a strong presence in their lives from the very beginning. She frequently visited Atlanta to spend time with them and watch them participate in their favorite activities. With Granny, love — and all sorts of treats — were endless and in abundance.

Jean is survived by her husband Paul Rasmussen; daughters Kristen Rasmussen and Brittany Mackey (Joe) of Atlanta and son Michael Rasmussen of New York City; her granddaughters McKittrick (Kit), Margaret (Garet) and Maryanne (Ryan) Mackey; her sisters Trina Doerr (Florian) of Lexington, S.C., Joan Windham (Oliver) of Arlington, Texas, and Bonnie Ward (Gene) of Lexington, S.C.; her sister-in-law MaryAnne Rasmussen of New York City; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

A celebration of Jean’s life will be held at noon on Thursday, June 5, 2025, at Pleitz Chapel, First Baptist Church of Pensacola, 500 N. Palafox Street. The family will receive visitors beginning at 11 a.m. A private interment ceremony at Barrancas National Cemetery will follow the memorial service. Bayview Fisher-Pou Chapel is entrusted with the arrangements.

The family thanks everyone for the outpouring of love and support and extends its deepest gratitude to Dr. Alexander Brown and his staff, who provided Jean care and comfort during her illness. In lieu of flowers, gifts in honor of Jean Rasmussen may be directed to the American Cancer Society or Samaritan Hands Ministry at First Baptist Church of Pensacola.