Barbara Letha Lois Goodell, age 88, passed away on Sunday, November 12, 2023 in Columbus Ohio at the Crown Pointe Care Center where she resided late in life. Barbara was born on July 2, 1935 in Washington DC to the late Colonel John B. Goodell and Mary (Burdette) Goodell. In light of her father's military career, Barbara lived in different parts of the country including Maryland, Alabama, and finally in Dennis, Massachusetts on Cape Cod.
As a child and teenager, Barbara earned her nickname Bee because she was always as "busy as a bee". She developed a love of animals and especially dogs and horses. Her father, in a letter home from France during WWII, commented about Bee's "menagerie" and how she was keeping her mother in the "pet store" business. Throughout her life, Barbara had many furry friends, especially dogs. In her own childhood, she spent many afternoons after school at a local barn and competing in local horse shows.
Barbara graduated with a degree in business from Simmons University (previously College). She worked for the Chairman of the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Her life was active. She was a member of the Outing Club and climbed the highest peak in the Grand Tetons, and she also sang in Europe with the choir. At an MIT dance, Barbara met and later married her former husband Gunter Faure with whom she raised her four children.
Barbara loved her children. Despite her lifelong struggles with mental illness, she always did the best she could for them. She was blessed with two sons David (Jennifer) Faure and John (Verena) Faure; and two daughters Pamela Vallette and Mary (Chip Nilges) Faure. She shared of her love of animals with her children and they always had multiple dogs and a cat while they grew up. Barbare introduced her daughters to horseback riding and even rode horses casually herself as a young mother. There is little doubt that her choir experience is what inspired her to sing Christmas carols around the fireplace with her kids at home on Christmas. Barbara also got involved in supporting her kids' sports activities, signing them up for baseball, basketball and soccer, driving to practice and attending numerous games and matches. She always found a way to make the mundane a little special, whether it was horseback riding lessons, back rubs at night, bringing Gatorade to a soccer match, or providing a Hostess cherry pie for lunch. Barbara showed her loved through these acts of kindness. Sitting with Barbara at the kitchen table at their home on Fairfax Road and laughing and sharing jokes and funny stores is a cherished memory for her children.
Barbara worked at the Miller Park Library in Upper Arlington for nearly a decade in the 1980s and 90s. She enjoyed her job at the library and was grateful for the many friendships, experiences, and opportunities it provided to her. She also worked as a home health care aid and volunteered for the Friends of the Homeless, again showing the kindness of her heart through service to others.
A lifelong reader, Barbara loved to read fiction and books about Cape Cod and horses. She shared her love of reading with her kids who also became avid readers. Once her kids were all in school, she took college courses at The Ohio State University, oftentimes riding her bike from her home in Upper Arlington to campus.
Barbara was lucky enough to see her family grow with five grandchildren Ryan Vallette, Rachel Vallette, Chloe (Sheamus Polinsky) Faure, Sarah (Daniel "Kwame" Dwomoh) Faure, and Will Nilges; and a great-granddaughter Charlotte Rose Brigner. Her family visited her at Crown Pointe, and gathered with her for the holidays. Her enthusiasm and joy at being with family always raised her spirits. Her family will all remember her fondly.
In her later years, Barbara loved watercolor painting, writing poetry, flower gardens, impressionist paints, and the Royal Family. As she aged, her fondness for her "second family" grew. She loved to wear pearls like Queen Elizabeth and changed her hair and makeup to match Kate, The Princess of Wales. Alongside photos of her own children and grandchildren, were photos of William, Harry, George, Charlotte, and Louis.
Barbara considered herself a child of God. Baptized in Alabama at the age of sixteen, she attended the Linworth United Methodist Church later in life and was warmly welcomed into their faith community. She continued receiving visitors and cards from church members throughout her time in nursing care. Those acts of kindness would light up Barbara's face with gratitude and enthusiasm. Both she and her family were very grateful for these moments of joy.
Family will receive friends to celebrate Barbara's life from 4:00-5:00pm on Wednesday, December 27, 2023 at SCHOEDINGER NORTHWEST, 1740 Zollinger Road, Columbus, Ohio 43221. Memorial Service will immediately follow at 5:00pm. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to made to Mental Health America of Ohio or Hospice. Please visit www.schoedinger.com to share memories and condolences.
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