Mary Ailene Goff

Mary Ailene Goff was called to our Lord on Monday, October 5, 2020. And thus spoke Michael and Gabriel to the Heavenly Hosts and All True Believers in Heaven, “Hearken, all ye Brothers and Sisters, for today Mary Ailene joins us.” And as they looked on, Our Savior Jesus Christ Our Lord embraced Mary and whispered, “Cast aside your pain, your suffering, your doubts. You are home with me at last.” A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11:00 A.M. Friday, October 9, 2020 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, with Rev. James Whitman officiating. Burial will follow at North Shore Memory Gardens in Coloma. Friends may visit with the family from 10:00 until 11:00 A.M. Friday at the funeral home. Memorial donations in Mary’s name may be made to Caring Circle Hospice. Those wishing to sign Mary’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com Mary Ailene Goff was born Mary Ailene Anderson on August 1, 1927 in Senath, Missouri. Born and raised out on the farms, she grew up knowing the difference between corn and wheat, cotton and soy beans, hay and alfalfa. Her most important discovery was that Jesus Christ died for our sins on the cross. She embraced her Faith at an early age, and she lived her entire life as a devout Christian with an unshakable faith that provided her a bed rock foundation to sustain her through her challenges. She married Bond C. Goff June 16, 1946 and had three children: Gary B. Goff, Sandra E. Goff (Cornell), and Cynthia L. Goff (Massey). The family moved from Missouri to Michigan in 1960. In 1963 her husband was killed in an industrial accident. She was her family’s Steel Magnolia. With quiet dignity and a strength not often seen today she persevered, raising her family alone by working in a dry-cleaners and later as a hair dresser. She didn’t take a hand out, and she didn’t make excuses. She was a hybrid, born at the end of the Greatest Generation, and raised in the Silent Generation. She didn’t make any noise, and she didn’t complain. She pulled herself up by her own bootstraps. She didn’t have much money, but her Faith sustained her and her family. They shared the same house for over 50 years, and it became a focal point, a place to return to, the place called home. Mary enjoyed her gardens, served what she planted to her family, and cooked with southern flair: fried green tomatoes, potato salad, fried chicken, cole slaw, biscuits, and her specialty, corn bread stuffing. She also enjoyed sewing and making her own clothes, and passed that passion on to her youngest daughter, Cynthia, who still draws on the skills her mother taught her in the sewing room. Mary liked watching Lawrence Welk, listening to Elvis Presley, and baking. She loved reading her Bible, and sharing her discoveries with her family. Mary has been suffering with Alzheimer’s disease and has lived at the Willows for the last 4 years, where she received outstanding care, with many blessings to the staff who made her life more enjoyable, and our visits fun! Mary is survived by her daughter Cindy Massey and son-in-law, Greg Massey; granddaughters Desiree Goff and husband Jeff Weller; Ashley Sousa; and Paige Massey; great grand-children Kovy Weller, Shelby Weller, Ashton Sousa, and Jocelyn Sousa; and many loving relatives down south. Preceding her on her journey to Forever were her older brothers, Cloyd Anderson, Coy Anderson, Onie Anderson, and her younger sister Modest Anderson and younger brother Bill Anderson; husband Bond C. Goff; son Gary B. Goff and daughter Sandra E. (Goff) Cornell.