Alice Leona “Lee” Goyette, 92, went to her Heavenly Home on Wednesday, December 26, 2018, at Wedgewood South in Lubbock, TX. Lee was born September 17, 1926, in Edmond, OK, to Zack and Retha Lincoln. In 1931, the young family moved to a farm near Sundown, Texas. In 1941, they moved to Levelland, Texas where Lee graduated from Levelland High School in 1942 and began attending Texas Tech University. There she met the love of her life Robert Goyette of the U.S. Army Air Corps, who was stationed at Reese Air Force Base. They married on February 9, 1946, at St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church in Lubbock, Texas.
Years later, Lee returned to Texas Tech and in 1968 earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development. She learned to swim at the age of 47 and enjoyed it so much that she began working at the YWCA Aquatic Center in Lubbock, eventually working her way up to Aquatics Director. Her passion while working there was developing programs for children and adults with disabilities. She also taught many of her grandchildren how to swim when they were young, making certain that each one would always be safe in the water.
Lee was a loyal Red Raiders fan and enjoyed reading, gardening, conversation over coffee, and spending time with her family at their cabin at White River Lake, where many special memories were made. Her favorite pastime was spending time with her family…children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, sisters and their families.
After 62 years of marriage, Bob passed away in 2008 at the age of 83. Lee then renewed her long time passion for sewing. She made many beautiful quilts, making many for family members and friends. She also enjoyed being a member of the South Plains Quilt Guild in Lubbock. In 1995, Lee and her sisters began yearly trips to many different places to spend time together making beautiful and fun memories.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Zack and Retha Lincoln, her husband Bob, brothers-in-law Michael Lewis and Joel Harris.
Lee is survived by her daughters, Barbara Gradel and husband Bernie of Lubbock, Texas, Karen Monaghan and husband Michael of Dripping Springs, Texas, Susan Walker and husband Randy of Conroe, Texas; son, David Goyette of Amarillo, Texas; sisters, Ellie and husband Bill Dryden of Snyder, Texas, Martha Harris of Dallas, Texas, Patsy Lewis of Arlington, Texas and Kay Lincoln of Las Cruces, New Mexico; grandchildren: Diane Hunt of Dripping Springs, Texas, Dr. Daniel Gradel, DVM of San Antonio, Texas, David Gradel and wife Shannon of Lubbock, Texas, Glynn Goyette of Lubbock, Texas, Dr. Jeremiah Goyette, PhD and wife Kristi of Austin, Texas, James Monaghan and wife Lizzie of Boston, Massachusetts, Alan Monaghan and wife Amanda of Tipp City, Ohio, Michelle Walker and fiancé, Hunter Clements of Conroe, Texas, Melissa Horres and her husband James of Conroe, Texas; “adopted grandson” Dr. Addison Gradel EdD and wife Tammie; great-grandchildren: Truman Hunt of Dripping Spring, Texas, Mason Hunt and Haden Hunt of Austin, Texas, Spencer Goyette of Utah, Henry Monaghan of Tipp, Ohio, and Sophie Goyette of Austin, Texas; great-great grandchild, Lilly Gray of Sheyboygan, Wisconsin; and many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank the staff of Wedgewood South Assisted Living and to Hospice of Lubbock for their tender loving care they gave to Lee and her family. The family would also like to thank Deacon Steve R. Tjia and his wife Catherine for the Spiritual loving care they gave to Lee bringing communion her every Sunday and Holy Day.
Memorials may be made to Christ the King Cathedral, 4011 54th Street, Lubbock, TX 79413, Hospice of Lubbock, 3702 21st Street, Lubbock, TX 79410 or YWCA, 3101 35th Street, Lubbock, TX 79410.
