Anita Joyce Walsh-Goggins

Anita Joyce Walsh-Goggins, of Rochester, New York, passed away unexpectedly but peacefully on May 13 th , 2026, in Sacramento, California. Anita was born on January 19 th , 1958. She grew to find her way in this world, despite the tragically early death of her mother, Maxine Preston, and the tragically late death of her father, Henry Kerluke.

In her formative years, Anita was given hearth and home by those she would forever consider her dearest family: her Aunt Joyce and Uncle Kenneth, and her surrogate parents, Thomas and Phyllis Chaffin. Her cousin Steven was like a brother to her during this time, and she gratefully enjoyed a loving and peaceful adolescence after being forced to endure an abusive childhood.

But Anita’s heart always shined through the struggles of her early life. She always worked tirelessly, largely in the role of one caretaker role or another: a doting nursing home assistant, a vivacious elementary classroom aide, an employee-minded workplace manager, and above all else, an endlessly devoted mother to her two sons, Jason and Allen.

Anita was the loving grandmother of two wonderful grandchildren, Liam and Jaycee Walsh. They were always in her heart, and she enjoyed every moment she got to spend with them. She was also the loving wife of two husbands who preceded her in death and are finally reunited with her: Paul Walsh, who died November 20th , 1989, and William Goggins, who died January 9 th, 2022.

Anita will be remembered for always being full of life, speaking at full volume, fighting for what she believed in, knowing how to laugh and have a good time, and making sure her two boys always knew they had a mama who loved them.

We love you, Mom

Jason and Allen