Mary Jane Ellis Goff, 89, of Houston, Texas, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, the 14th of January 2015. She was born in Houston the 28th of December 1925, to A.B. & Mena Ellis. She attended Lamar High School and graduated from Rice Institute in 1946, following in her father’s footsteps. As an only child whose father passed away at an early age, she and her mother were very close. From Mena, Mary Jane learned investing, chili-making, love of beer and of life and honed her sense of humor. She was a strong, independent woman.
Mary Jane had many interests over her full life—she loved history, cooking and gardening and was an expert seamstress. She was creative and enjoyed crafts, painting, calligraphy, and playing piano. She was proud of her alma mater and an active Rice University alumnus; she dedicated many hours to working with the scholarship committee to raise money for this fund. She was a supporter of The Women’s Home, served time on their board and was an advocate of their mission. She was an active member and elder of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church.
While at Rice she met and fell in love with Bobby Goff whom she married the 14th of June 1947. Mary Jane & Bobby loved dancing, entertaining and traveling with friends. They enjoyed many activities with the ‘Sindicate’ -- a close group of friends from high school and college with whom they shared a life-long relationship. They orchestrated incredible family summer road trips. And they especially loved time at Caney Creek -- skiing, crabbing, grilling & cocktail cruising. They knew how to have fun together.
Mary Jane is survived by her husband of over 67 years, Robert B. Goff; daughter, Gayle, and partner Linda Land of Austin; son Robb of San Antonio; grandsons Joel and Peter of San Antonio; nephew Lad Hanacek and wife Charmon of Schulenburg and their daughters, Paige and Faith.
The family wishes to extend the sincerest gratitude to the loving care for over 4 years of caregivers: Sheila Hemphill, Cile Mathis, Nakia Ziegler, Mabel Umukoro, Christine Mikisa, Cortney Eason, Cathy Pegelow and Lee Jack and to Sara Ramirez for over 17 years of family service.
The memorial service is to be conducted at one o’clock in the afternoon on Tuesday, the 20th of January, at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 5308 Buffalo Speedway in Houston. Immediately following all are invited to greet the family during a reception.
The family requests that remembrances be directed to The Women’s Home (thewomenshome.org), Rice University Scholarship Fund, St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church or the charity of one’s choice.
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