Therese Goodine

Therese (Palardy) Goodine, 1/8/1929 – 7/9/2025, recently of West Hartford after living many years in Newington and Rocky Hill, passed away on July 9th at home surrounded by loving family and the Holy Family. She was born in Pittsfield MA on January 8, 1929. She was the youngest daughter of the late Joseph and Alexina Larsch Palardy. She was the cherished wife of the late F. Murray Goodine for 21 blessed years and the mother of Marie Goodine of West Hartford. She is the last of her immediate family to enter the realm of Heaven. She was predeceased by her Sister Hilda Mangano, Brothers Ovilia Palardy, Paul Palardy and Norman Palardy. She was also predeceased by her daughter Darlene Costello and two of her grandchildren Gary and Erin Costello. This year her son-in-law Robert Bruce Fagan and nephew Danny Palardy entered Heaven to pave her way to Paradise.

Besides Marie, she is survived by her two cherished granddaughters Nelmarie (Antonio) and Yuneli (Luis). She was able to see the miracle of her two great granddaughters Alana and Camilla whom she enjoyed smiling, singing and talking to this past year and who were able to visit with her during her last days. She is also survived by her son David (Ursula) Goodine and grandsons David Jr. and Jeffrey. She loved her granddaughter Tahani and grandson W. Alexis and his daughter Isabella. She comes from a large family and has many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and cousins abundant.

Therese treasured family and valued time with them. There were not any birthdays or anniversaries that she missed. She would call and sing with her angelic voice “Happy Birthday” even when she said her voice was cracking. Hearing her calls will be greatly missed by all. She treasured time and loved the dinners and card games with family. She was a good sport when asked to wear ribbons at Christmas and Birthdays, masks and dancing down the hall, and when asked about light saying “It’s Lit.” She had bubbly laughter and loved rocking the babies. She thoroughly enjoyed little ones, she was called “Grandma”, Aunt, Mother and friend to all.

Therese’s love for God, the Holy Family, Saints and Angels started as a child and grew stronger every moment. She was not fearful of showing all her deep devotion and shared her thoughts and prayers with others. She was part of the Church as a child and went to Notre Dame Elementary School and St Joseph High School in Pittsfield. She never missed a Mass, even when she became homebound, she would watch daily Mass and prayed her rosary and special prayers over the years. She was part of a number of prayer groups over the years. She was a member of St James Church, now St. Josephine Bakhita Parish for 62 years. She loved the Holy Family and at the end of her life they joined with her providing her peace.

Therese told stories of her time with her husband, Murray, whom she said was the “Love of my Life.” She met him when she was 34 and thought she was going to be an “Old Maid.” She met him in 1963 and had 21 years of a happy marriage. There were struggles but many beautiful memories. They shared their love with family and friends and had an open-door policy. When asked if she ever thought of another man after him, she claimed that when you have the best why have anyone else. She was devoted to him until the end, and they are now together dancing and cuddling.

Therese had three significant careers. After high school she went to Hartt School of Music in Hartford (now part of University of Hartford). There she excelled in voice and dance. She loved singing and music and as noted in her yearbook she was always dancing and singing in the halls. She had beautiful flowing “red hair” and was known for those locks of fire. She graduated in 1954, thinking she would have a career in New York. Instead, she stayed at the school and taught voice and dance. She taught children appreciation for music, dance and laughter. She was a member of the Mu Phi Epsilon Sorority, Alpha Beta Chapter. She was on a TV show for children during that time for a few episodes. She participated during and after graduation in many performances and operas, she also did some choreography for some. She fondly talks about her role in the opera “The Love of Three Orange” by Prokofiev as the court Jester, Truffaldino. She worked towards her Master’s Degree in Voice, met her love, had her daughter, then achieved it in 1965. She wanted to be a full-time mom and wife.

Her second career was that of dedication to motherhood. She used her skills from being the sitter to her nieces and nephews to being a caring and loving mother. She shared her faith with her family. She enjoyed playing games, singing and taking care of her “little girl.” When her husband became ill, she went to her third career. She worked at Hartford Hospital from 1975 until she retired when she was 82 years old. She worked first in Employee Health then in Pharmacy. She was always running around the hospital and had her “lunch bunch” of friends.

Therese considered herself as “simple and plain.” She was not. She gave to charity, thought of others above herself and offering to give a hand to others. She was a caring mother, grandmother, friend and loved others unconditionally, even strangers. She exuded the grace of God with humble Love. She was a teacher and a “prayer warrior”. Even as she was ill and transitioning, she would think of her family and her beloved caregiver, Rachel, worrying that everyone would be all right.

Therese was an Angel on Earth and now she is our Guardian Angel in Heaven.

The family is forever grateful to Rachel M. who was Therese’s guardian angel here on Earth and cared for her with all her heart. They had a special bond full of laughter and joy, even during the frustrating times when Therese’s health declined and she could not do the things she wanted. We also would like to thank Masonicare Home Health and Hospice, Jennifer C. the nurse who cared for her in and out of rehab and hospital stays; Sarah and Jen the hospice nurses; Michael who prayed with her during her last days; Jennifer T the social worker who supported caregivers and gave quiet presence. More angels amongst us.

In Lieu of Flowers she was dedicated to the work her son-in-law did for Veterans with the nonprofit he started: Skydive for Veterans: www.SkydiveforVeterans.org There is a link under donations in her memory.