Mary Johneta Goodwin

Mary Johneta Goodwin passed on July 29, 2026, at the age of 84. She was born January 18, 1942 in Albia, Iowa where she lived the first decade or so of her life in the old Monroe County Jail. She was born to Sheriff John W. Goodwin and his wife Lorraine Goodwin. She recalled her time growing up in the jail with the fondest memories and had all kinds of interesting stories to share from simpler, but no less dashing times. Upon her father’s passing, she moved with her dear younger sister Janet and her mother to a house just off the town square.

Mary (or Johneta to many) loved her life in Albia. Despite living for many years in Des Moines, Kansas City, Ft. Lauderdale and finally Auburn, ME her heart always went back to Albia. Indeed, she was a hard copy subscriber to the Monroe County News until her dying day. From her very favorite job at the movie theater to her lifelong friendship with playmate Georgina Seibert and from a proper tenderloin only to be found in Iowa (as the initiated know) to raucous class reunions involving parades over the years, Albia was always her home.

Upon graduation from Albia High School in 1960, Mary started a long career as an administrative professional within the healthcare sector starting with insurance and culminating with a place in the executive suite across three different osteopathic medical schools. She had many professional talents, not the least of which was being a master in the lost art of short hand and arranging for gala graduation celebrations.

Mary was a proud member of the Beta Sigma Phi service sorority where she developed a multitude of lasting friendships with so many other wonderful women. Somehow this involved a tiger for the Des Moines Zoo and lots of oranges, but that’s another story. In her final years in Maine, she was also a proud and active member of the Red Hat Society where she also valued the fellowship and laughter of so many kindred spirits.

Prior to moving to Maine in early 2022, Mary spent over 20 years in the Ft. Lauderdale area where she developed and maintained a large network of trusted and loving friendships. This network sustained her through so many good times and so many difficult times as her health began to deteriorate. Her Florida people will know that she was never one to shy away from a good laugh, a broad smile, a bright color, a gaudy trinket or a boat ride to the Bahamas. Her friends down there meant the world to her.

Mary is survived by her son Todd Goodwin of Auburn, Maine and grandchildren Grace Maryellen Goodwin (26) of Edgewater, CO and Jake Elvis Goodwin (22) of Bear River Ranger Station, UT. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister Janet Willett.

In furtherance of her wishes, Mary is being cremated with final disposition of remains to be determined by her son and grandchildren.

The family would like to thank all her friends who enriched her life in ways too innumerable to list. She loved each and every one of you. Being the relentlessly positive person that she was, she would hope you would keep a smile in her memory and offer a smile to the next person you meet.