Suzan C Goodson

Suzan Couture Goodson passed away peacefully in her sleep at her home among loved ones today, March 16, 2019. Suzan was born and raised in Quebec City, Canada to French Canadian parents, Omer and Ida Couture, the fifth child in a family of seven boisterous siblings. In 1956, she attended Brescia College at Western University in London, Ontario where she had to quickly learn English as she only had very limited High School knowledge of it! After her studies, she became a “stewardess,” as they were called before the term “flight attendant” existed, for the then Capital Airlines where she met the handsome and charming, James (Jim) P. Goodson, an airline pilot and Korean veteran, and marine in the U.S. Marine Corps. They married in June 1956 and settled in New Orleans having three children in rapid succession: Mark, Michelle, and Paul. Three years later, they moved to Chicago and made it their home for thirty years. For twenty years, Suzan was a very successful breeder of toy poodles under the kennel name of Montec while residing in Chicago producing great champions through the years. Anxious to leave the frigid temperatures and snowy winters in Chicago, Captain Jim Goodson now retired from United Airlines after 33 and a half years of active service and Suzan left Chicago and built their dream home in Bradenton, Florida on the river and for the next 25 years lived in paradise in the warmth, sun, and beauty in the “Sunshine State.” Even in her final week of life, Suzan marvelled at the magical sunset that the West Coast of Florida is famous for.

Jim predeceased her in May 2015. Suzan leaves her three beloved children, Mark, Michelle Scott, MD (Brad Scott), and Paul and her six much loved grandchildren, Ashley, Christy, Noelle, Sam, Ryan, and Megan, and her adored sister, Michelle McIntyre (married to the late Gord McIntyre) who despite being 18 months apart Suzan considered her “twin sister” because they were as close as any twins can be!, and her lovely youngest brother Pierre Couture (Colette Belzile), her wonderful sister-in-law, Micheline Couture (wife of her late younger brother Jacques who predeceased her), and many nieces and nephews in Vancouver, Calgary, and in various parts of the province of Quebec, Canada. Her other siblings, Omer-Eugène, Jean-Marie, Monique predeceased her. Finally, she leaves her greatly cherished friend and devoted caregiver, Emilia Greco who not only took superb care of Jim in his last days but who Suzan insisted would be the one to care for her during her hospice care. No one could have given her more loving care than her Emilia!

It is bittersweet that her granddaughter, Christy was married in San Antonio, Texas on the same day as the passing of her treasured grandmother.

Suzan requested no flowers and asked that if you would like to make a donation to make it to Tidewell Hospice in Bradenton, Florida who provided her with warm, caring, and exemplary care.

Viewing is at 9 to 10 a.m. Service is from 10 to 11 am. at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Catholic Church in Bradenton, Florida on Wednesday, March 20.

Following the service, she will be interred at Sarasota National Cemetery with her husband, the love of her life. “May they have a pleasant flight together.”