Haydee Goff

Haydee Goff passed away peacefully on October 17, 2024 in Ojai, CA. The visitation was on October 18 at Joseph P. Reardon Funeral Home in Ventura, CA. The Graveside Service and Interment will take place at National Memorial Park in Falls Church VA on April 12, 2025 at 10 AM. There will be a Celebration of Life in Ojai, CA on May 18, 2025.

Haydee was born in Callao, Peru to Juan Martinez and Esther Garcia on May 18, 1933. She attended Colegio Bozano in Callao and then began her career at the Chamber of Commerce in Lima, Peru. Haydee worked as an executive secretary at the Inter American Development Bank in Lima, Peru and then transferred to the IDB headquarters in Washington DC in 1965. Studying at night, she completed several certificate programs and continued to work for the IDB for 30 years, earning the title of Manuals Officer. She was also active in the IDB Staff Association’s bowling league, art classes and art exhibitions.

Haydee married Robert Goff on May 4, 1968 at St. Stephen Martyr Catholic Church in Washington DC, where they first met. They resided in Northern Virginia with their daughter Rocio, and were members of St. James Catholic Church in Falls Church, VA and the Knights of Columbus Council 2473 Club. As a family they made extended trips to Lima, Peru to visit Haydee’s relatives. These trips formed some of the best memories of her life. After her husband’s passing and her retirement, she enjoyed traveling with her daughter and visiting family in various countries.

In 2004, Haydee moved to Santa Monica, CA where she studied art and music at Emeritus College. In the summers, she attended music workshops at the Peabody Institute in Baltimore, MD. Every year she traveled to Las Vegas with her Bowling Club. She spent the last years of her life in Ojai, living with her daughter and son in law, and was an active member of the Athletic Club. Haydee supported the Ojai Art Center where she continued art classes and attended theater performances. Never forgetting where she came from, Haydee took pride in her Peruvian heritage while immersing herself in life in the United States. Haydee regularly donated to several charities throughout her life, including Disabled American Veterans, in honor of her husband.

Haydee will be profoundly missed by her daughter and son in law, Rocio and William Munsterman, and her many relatives and friends. She is preceded in death by her husband Robert Goff, her brother Augusto Thornberry, and sister Alicia Charun.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Disabled American Veterans:

https://help.dav.org/page/53021/donate/1

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Community Memorial Hospital in Ventura and Ojai, Mission Home Hospice, and to all our relatives, Haydee’s IDB colleagues, and close friends who have supported us through this difficult time