Frances Fenzel Goodrich

Miriam Frances Fenzel Goodrich, 78, of Columbia, entered into eternal rest on October 3, 2025. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday, October 14 at 1:00 pm at Saint Joseph Catholic Church, 3512 Devine Street, with interment in the Columbarium and a reception to follow in the Ministries Building. A Rosary and Visitation will be held Monday, October 13 from 5:00-7:00 pm at Dunbar Funeral Home, 3926 Devine Street.

Francy Goodrich was born in Augsburg, Bavaria, West Germany, the daughter of Hugh Francis Fenzel and Miriam Marshall Fenzel. She is preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Hugh Francis “Buddy” Fenzel. She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Edward Lynn Goodrich, her children Dell Goodrich, Rebecca Seezen (Michael), Elizabeth Goodrich, and Charlie Goodrich (Jimmy), and her grandchildren James Seezen, Marshall Seezen, Jack Seezen, and Eliza Comer.

Francy was born in Germany at the end of World War II and moved to Columbia, SC, when she was 18 months old. She attended Saint Joseph Catholic School, Crayton Middle School, and was in the first graduating class to complete all four grades at AC Flora High School, graduating in 1965. She graduated from Columbia College in 1969 with a BA in Special and Elementary Education. In 1970, she married her beloved husband, Ed, and they settled in Columbia where they raised their four children.

Francy was a teacher for 25 years. She taught in Lexington Richland 5, Richland 1, and spent the last 9 years before her retirement at Saint Joseph Catholic School. She was a member of the national teacher sorority, Alpha Delta Kappa.

Francy was a very active volunteer for many years. Before her children were born, she was one of the first members of the Junior League of Columbia to create their own service placement. Francy chose to serve at the Babcock Center, where her brother was a client. While her children were students at Saint Joseph Catholic School, she served on the PTO Board and School Board. She led Brownie and Girl Scout troops and even coached cheerleading! She was even more active with Saint Joseph Church, serving on the Parish Council and the Ecumenical Committee, teaching CCD, serving as a Eucharistic Minister, and participating actively as a member of the Jacquier Kamler Guild for over a decade. When Francy’s children started performing at Town Theatre, she volunteered there - helping with costuming, in the box office, and organizing other parent volunteers. Francy set an example of service for her family, always volunteering to help wherever her children were active. For her years of service to Saint Joseph School and Church, Francy was honored with the Grandparent of the Year award in 2016.

Francy was Mom to her kids and Mrs. Goodrich to her students, but her favorite title, by far, was Mimi. Francy adored spending time with her four grandchildren any time she could. She loved caring for them when they were younger and attending their various activities and events when they grew older. She loved to shop, go to lunch with her friends, and maybe most of all, to be with her fur babies, Sabrina, Tucker, Cam, and Sparky.

The family is grateful to Dr. William Merritt and the team at South Carolina Oncology Associates for their years of care. They would also like to thank Prisma Health Hospice, especially Kendall Harris and Carmella White, for their compassionate care at home. Memorials may be made to Saint Joseph Catholic Church or the Animal Mission of the Midlands.