Mary Elizabeth Goddard

On October 23, 2019, Mary Elizabeth Goddard passed away surrounded by her loving children, Elizabeth and William, and her devoted husband, Bradley. They held her hands, said The Lord’s Prayer and sang the University of Michigan fight song as she peacefully found rest. Mary Beth battled Breast Cancer for almost five years. She went through countless rounds of chemo, radiation, a mastectomy, immunotherapy and more. Cancer did not beat her; she stared it down and fought it to a draw. Mary Beth was born in St. Joseph, Michigan, to Betty and Gene Serpe. She was a frequent tormentor of her older brother, Michael Serpe, but was always his biggest fan. He was her "Mikey". She grew up loving the Chicago Cubs and the Michigan Wolverines. MB attended Marymount College in New York and established friendships that lasted a lifetime. Her memories and stories of her Marymount days were sources of laughter and joy when she retold them to her children…Go Greased Lightnin’. With dreams of becoming a Rockette, she moved to Manhattan upon graduating in 1981. There she met her future husband on a blind date facilitated by one of her best friends. The story goes that she was immediately drawn to Brad's broad shoulders and he to her stunning smile that he would say lit up the room. Although it would take a little bit of convincing for Mary Beth, Brad knew she was the one as soon as he said goodbye and put her in a cab home after their first date. They were married in 1990, and up or down, thin or flush, for 30 years they never left each other’s side. They were each other's "Sweetie”, a nickname that would be written on every birthday card, family note and Christmas present in the years to come. Mary Beth's only requirement was that she raise a family on the water, so the family moved to Sarasota, Florida in 1995. She used the beach to teach Elizabeth and William life lessons such as: if you want it, you carry it, never block somebody's view, and know when it’s time to go home. She also passed on her love of Broadway, and New York City to her daughter and her dedication to University of Michigan football to her son. Go Blue! Mary Beth found great purpose as a member of Founders Garden Club of Sarasota, where she served as President with great pride & gratitude. She so loved the women of Founders, several serving as her angels of comfort at the end. She treasured the beach, talking to her daughter every night on the phone, and singing the Michigan fight song with her son every gameday. She loved to make the gravy on Thanksgiving, and pick out the perfect Christmas tree, driving Brad, Elizabeth and William crazy. And, at the end of the day, Sweetie and Sweetie would enjoy a martini together, and her stunning smile still lit up the room. A service will be held Thursday, November 14th at 11:30 at Church of the Redeemer, Sarasota. Florida. Donations can be made to: Founders Garden Club of Sarasota Scholarship Fund P.O. Box 25612 Sarasota, FL, 34277 Please note gift In memory of Mary Beth Goddard

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Mary Elizabeth Goddard

October 23, 2019