Mrs. Eleanor Patricia "Patsy" Goodrich

Eleanor Patricia “Patsy” Goodrich, age 93, passed away peacefully on July 19, 2026, in San Antonio, Texas, with one of her loving daughters holding her hand. Born on March 31, 1933, in San Antonio to Ella Sturm and James Edwin Fortson, Patsy was blessed with a rich heritage of family traditions that she honored and carried forward throughout her life. Family was her greatest joy.

Patsy married Billy Marvin Thornburg in 1952. The young couple was blessed with two sons before Billy’s sudden passing in 1958. During that time of grief and uncertainty, Patsy was sustained by the love of her parents and the friendship of Donald Lawrence Goodrich. Patsy and Don’s friendship grew into a loving marriage in 1959 that lasted 66 years, until Don’s passing in 2025. Together, their family grew to include son William Edwin Goodrich (Rosann); grandchildren Lorraine Goodrich, Sarah Goodrich Grove (Gabriel), Katherine Goodrich, and Karia Davenport; son Lawrence Alan Goodrich (Elizabeth); grandchildren Jennifer Goodrich Weber (Erik), and Brian Goodrich (Linda); daughter Donna Gayle Goodrich Monroe (James); son Gregory Scott Goodrich (Brenda); grandchildren Holly Goodrich Zileznikar (Journey), and Brent Goodrich (Ashlynn); daughter Vicki Lee Goodrich Baillon (Paul); grandchildren Parker Baillon (Maria), and Trisha Baillon; ten great-grandchildren; nieces Monica Stasyszen (Rick), and Jane Reynolds (Allen); and nephew Kenneth Goodrich.

Patsy enjoyed many close, lifelong friendships while living in San Antonio and Seguin, Texas. When Patsy and Don were first married, they made the commitment for their children to attend St. Benedict’s Catholic School in San Antonio and were members of St. Benedict’s parish, where they regularly attended Mass as a family. The family later moved to Seguin, Texas, where they attended St. James Catholic Church. Patsy was a past president of the Seguin Newcomers Club. Patsy also loved spending time with her family at Lake LBJ in Kingsland and later as members at Lake Breeze Ski Lodge on Lake McQueeney. They eventually returned to San Antonio, where Patsy and Don attended Holy Spirit, St. Mark’s, and then St. Anthony Mary Claret Catholic Churches as they moved to several neighborhoods over the years. Wherever Patsy lived, she was known by friends, neighbors, and family for her kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control. When faced with conflict, she met it with love, peace, and grace. Patsy retired from the Northeast Independent School District, where she worked as an aide on special education bus routes. It was important to Patsy that the children she supported arrived at school happy, safe, and ready for a valuable day of learning. Her drivers often shared that when a child boarded the bus, they immediately knew they were in a place of safety and care because of Patsy’s faithful and loving heart. After retirement, Patsy and Don enjoyed cruising, especially with family. They were incredibly involved in the various clubs offered through the Del Webb Hill Country Retreat community. Memories and photographs of dinners and dancing—whether at family gatherings, community events, special occasions, or on cruises—remind us to cherish the love we share as a family, nurtured by a loving mother.

Patsy’s life was fruitful, faithful, and graceful. She was, and will continue to be, a blessing to all who knew her. Her family finds comfort in knowing that Patsy has joined Don in God’s kingdom, and that the rich blessings of family traditions grounded in love will continue to carry them forward.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” —Galatians 5:22–23

She was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Billy Marvin Thornburg; and her husband, Donald Lawrence Goodrich.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 2, 2026, at Porter Loring Mortuary North, 2102 North Loop 1604 East, San Antonio, Texas.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m., followed by entombment, on Monday, August 3, 2026, at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in the Mausoleum Chapel, 17501 Nacogdoches Road, San Antonio, Texas.

Fr. Dennis will officiate. Pallbearers are Parker Baillon, Paul Baillon, Brent Goodrich, Brian Goodrich, Gabriel Grove, James Monroe and Dr. Erik Weber, with honorary pallbearers Kenneth Goodrich and Roy Jahn.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or a charity of your choice.