Lynn Levine Goodman

Dr. Lynn Levine Goodman passed away peacefully on July 11, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. She was 79. Born in Houston, Texas, on February 21, 1946, Lynn was the beloved daughter of Leo “Babe” Levine and Hilda “Pookie” Levine.

From the very beginning, Lynn’s life was one marked by resilience and brilliance. At just two years old, she survived a traumatic brain injury that made front-page news and became an early testament to her strength and determination—qualities that defined her throughout her life.

Lynn was a proud product of her family’s deep Jewish roots in Houston. Her great-great-grandfather, Aldolf Cramer, was the first president and a founding member of Congregation Beth Israel. She carried on her family's legacy with pride and upheld their values of education, community, and tradition.

A bright student and a natural caregiver, after graduating from high school in 1963 she received a full scholarship to Sacred Heart Dominican College School of Nursing in Houston Tx, where she earned her bachelor’s degree. Subsequently she earned two master’s degrees in nursing and education, rising to the level of nurse practitioner and completed her educational journey with a PHD in nursing education. Following that she went on to teach nursing at Texas Women’s University in Houston Tx, all while raising her daughter Lisa.

Lynn’s life was filled with love and family. She married Monte Goodman in 1978 after meeting at a Jewish singles event and deciding they would marry less than a week later. They blended their families and built a household filled with laughter, learning, and the warmth of Jewish tradition. Stephanie was born just two weeks after Lisa and Rory’s b’nai mitzvah.

She was a hands-on mother and later a doting grandmother. There was no school project too big, no Halloween costume too elaborate, and no science fair board too detailed for Lynn. She made homemade Lunchables before they were a trend and taught her children that there was nothing they couldn’t do. She could diagnose an illness before the doctor could, wielded power tools with skill, and believed deeply in raising capable, independent children.

Her marriage to Monte was full of companionship, shared values, eating out and lively family gatherings. Lynn took joy in entertaining for Jewish holidays, hosting Sunday dinners, Passover Seders, and making her signature latkes without a recipe—only stopping once her children learned to perfect the mixture themselves.

Lynn was also an exceptional grandmother. She was a calm, steady presence during the births of her grandchildren and had an uncanny ability to know when to step in and when to step back. She brought light, wisdom, and humor to every chapter of her family’s story.

She is survived by her loving children Rory (Chris) Goodman, Lisa (Gary) Cohen, and Stephanie (Adam) Kramer, her grandchildren, Rose and Mitchell Goodman, Rylie, Laine and Aidan Cohen, Micah and Noa Kramer and her baby brother Marc Levine. She will be remembered as a brilliant educator, nurturing mother, devoted wife, proud Jew, and the heart of the Goodman family.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Lynn’s memory to The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah in KC.

May her memory be a blessing.