Sally Dianne Goodwin

On Sunday, February 16, 2025, Sally D. Goodwin passed away at her home in Yakima, Washington. She had been struggling with Alzheimer’s for the last two years. Arlo had been caring for her in their home. She is finally resting in peace.

Sally Dianne Coleman was born on December 4, 1948, in Grand Junction, Colorado. She was the only daughter of Albert Coleman and Anne Burglar. Sally had two brothers, Ron Coleman, who was born in 1957, and brother Steve, born in 1959. They operated a small family farm, producing vegetables that were sold at a roadside farmstand. As the family grew, so did their needs. An opportunity presented itself and the family moved out West to homestead in Royal City, Washington, in 1962. Albert was a WWII Veteran and was eligible for Government land through the Homestead Act of 1863.

Sally attended School in Royal City, and helped work on the family farm where they raised organic beef, milk cows, field corn, and hay. She was crowned the first “Miss Royal City” in 1967. I recently learned from one of Sally’s close friends that she actually made her own dress the night before the ceremony. Sally graduated from Royal City High School in 1967. After high School, Sally worked at the Golden Harvest Café in Vantage, Washington. While working there, she met Vaughan H. Pierce, who was working on the Interstate 90 construction project. She later married Vaughan and moved to Yakima and started a family, giving birth to Corbin (1973), and Matt in (1975). Sally enjoyed the outdoors while in Yakima, and even raced a Jeep that Vaughan built. Sally took a job with the Home Builders Association, and continued to raise her two children. Sally had strong family values and a great work ethic.

In 1978, work slowed in Yakima, forcing Vaughan and Sally to move to Portland where there was more opportunity for construction work. While in Portland, Sally took a job with Oregon Association of Homes for the Aging. She was a lobbyist that advocated for senior health care. Sally spent a lot of time in Salem, and Washington DC, for work. Sally was a very persuasive speaker. A short time after Sally took the new job, she and Vaughan divorced.

Later, Sally found an old home in Lake Oswego, and met Arlo Goodwin, who became her new best friend and true love. The house was in rough shape and in dire need of remodeling. She and her boys started the demo work while living in the house. Arlo and Sally moved in together and were married in 1986.

Sally and Arlo had quite a life together. They were always on the go, adventuring. One of the family favorite activities was skiing. Sally was a very good skier. She and Arlo ended up buying a home in Kimberly, British Columbia, which was minutes from the ski hill. While in Kimberly, Sally and Arlo skied 7 days a week all winter long. They were always the first ones on the mountain.

Sally continued her career at Oregon Association of Homes for the Aging until 1995. After retiring, she and Arlo spent their time skiing and golfing. When they weren’t in Kimberly, Sally and Arlo were at their second home in Garibaldi, Oregon. This was another home that she and Arlo had renovated together. She enjoyed gardening, she was a master gardener, and had a beautiful yard. She created mosaics, and went antiquing, foraging, clamming, and fishing.

As time went on, they started visiting Arizona, to see Arlo’s relatives. She and Arlo loved the climate and decided to move there full time. They bought a home there and started another chapter in life. Sally and Arlo golfed every day, sometimes twice per day. Sally started golfing in her 40’s. She was a fast learner and ended up scoring in the 90’s and would be disappointed if she didn’t finish under 100. Another hobby Sally loved was photography, she loved taking pictures of horses. Sally’s friend Dixie, inspired her to get into wildlife photography which became her passion. She and Arlo also loved traveling. They spent a lot of time in South America, Central America and Europe. She was able to bring home many pictures from their travels. Sally was able to make a few trips to Yellowstone and other national parks to photograph wildlife.

Sally and Arlo ended up moving back to Yakima in 2019. She wanted to be closer to her family. Sally and Arlo bought their current home, they spent time remodeling it and made it their own. She spent the last couple years working in her yard, traveling, and taking pictures of wild horses on the Yakama Nation Reservation.

Sally is survived by her two sons: Corbin and Matt Pierce, step daughters: Kelly and Linay, her brothers: Ron and Steve Coleman, and eight grandchildren. Sally had a huge heart and always put other people first. She had so many major accomplishments, but never bragged or talked about what she had done. She was smart and beautiful. She was also humble and giving. Every time I see a wild horse, I will think of Sally. She will be missed by many, but never forgotten.

A celebration of life for Sally will be held Thursday, February 27, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 1:30 PM at Keith & Keith Funeral Home, 902 West Yakima Ave, Yakima, WA 98902.