Nancy "Nan" Goff

Nancy "Nan" Goff was born on November 1, 1950, in Omaha, Nebraska, to Jack Charles Troe and Phyllis Elaine Henry, both of whom preceded her in death. Nan was the third of four siblings who all survive, Marsha (Rick) Taylor, Charles (Lisa) Troe, and Thomas (Bonnie) Troe.

Nan married Terry Goff in Peoria, IL, on June 6, 1970, and was mother to Hilary (Patrick Beckman) Goff, Bryce (Stacey) Goff, and Jonathan Goff, all of whom survive. Six grandchildren also survive, Alvilde Shirven, Amaya Goff, Jadyn Goff, Lyla Goff, Esther Shirven, and Hannah Shirven. She is also survived by many beloved nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.

Nan grew up in Des Moines and Urbandale, Iowa, and later Peoria, Illinois. She attended Lincoln High School in Des Moines, Peoria High School in Peoria, and Bradley University. Nan’s adult life played out in Peoria, Hong Kong, the Washington, DC, area, and Tokyo, Japan. Often asked which of these spots was her favorite she would give a typical Nan response, saying each was special in its own way. That attitude of loving and finding the best in folk was a hallmark of Nan’s identity.

Nan was a loving soul, dedicated to family, friends, and a range of folk whom she encountered on life’s journey. Nan was a talented musician with French Horn and Voice being her instruments of choice and studied music at Bradley University and received vocal instruction from noted choral musicians Dr. Howard Kellogg, Dr. John Davis, Ella Kiang, and Dr. Wong Wing-Hee. Nan loved to teach singing to all who were willing to try, most notably those who did not think they possessed the talent to sing before studying under Nan.

Nan’s performance experiences included oratorio performances in Hong Kong, Macau, Beijing, Shanghai, Taipei, and Singapore, primarily with the Hong Kong Oratorio Society, as well as in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area, and Peoria. Her Beijing and Shanghai experiences represented significant firsts, being a part of the first Hong Kong performing arts group invited to perform in China’s capital since the Cultural Revolution, and in performing the first performance of Handel’s “Messiah” in Shanghai since the Cultural Revolution. The Shanghai performance was in such demand that crowds broke the entryway glass to the Shanghai venue to hear the classic oratorio. Her solos in concert halls included performance with the British Royal Air Force Band in its Battle of Britain Memorial Tour in Hong Kong and countless church, wedding, and funeral solos wherever she lived.

Nan treasured her time teaching pre-school music classes and tutoring international students in Hong Kong and Tokyo, developing lifelong memories and serving so many from so many differing nationalities. Nan’s life-loves were punctuated with smiles, laughter, games, grandparenting joy, and outdoor experiences, notably gardening and fishing. She was a member of Grace and Peace Lutheran Church in Peoria and previously of Church of All Nations in Hong Kong, Lord of Life Lutheran in Fairfax, VA, and Tokyo Union Church in Tokyo, Japan.

Nan's funeral service will be at 11:00 am on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, at Grace and Peace Lutheran Church in Peoria. Pastor Mary Beenken will officiate. Her visitation will be from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, at Davison-Fulton-Woolsey-Wilton Funeral Home in Peoria. A celebration of life gathering will be from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm also at the funeral home. An additional visitation will be from 10:00 am to 11:00 am on Wednesday at her church. Inurnment will take place later in Springdale Cemetery in Peoria. Her funeral service will be available via live stream on the Grace and Peace Lutheran Church YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/@graceandpeacevideo4975/streams

Nan may be memorialized in gifts to Grace and Peace Lutheran Church, 7611 N. Knoxville Ave., Peoria, IL 61614, or on the web at https://secure.myvanco.com/YKS3/campaign/C-YXQ5 or at the charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be shared with Nan's family at www.Woolsey-Wilton.com