Lorraine H. Goodwin's Obituary
Lorraine H. Goodwin, 80, of Pittsburg, KS, passed away
on Friday, April 25, 2025, at KU Medical Center in Kansas City, KS, following a
stroke. Born in Bremerton, WA, on January 5, 1945, she was the daughter of
Randall Dean and Maxine Luella (Cullison) Hartley. Lorraine graduated from Fort
Lauderdale High School and later earned a nursing degree from Labette Community
College, where she became a Registered Nurse at Shawnee Mission Medical Center
and St. John’s Hospital in Joplin. She married Don Goodwin in Wichita, KS, who
preceded her in death in November 2004. A devoted member of the Christian faith,
Lorraine was actively involved in AARP, volunteered at the Salvation Army, and
cherished her beloved dog, Dolly.
Lorraine is survived by her partner, Jerry DeGruson of
Pittsburg, KS; her daughter, Heather Scott Thompson and husband Pat of
Brooksville, FL; her sisters, Connie Garason of Spokane, WA, and June Marrone of
Frontenac, KS; her grandchildren, Grant Fitzsimmons, Carter Fitzsimmons, Tyler
Fitzsimmons, Devin Shay Brown, and Alexa Thompson; and her great-grandchildren,
Olive Rae Brown and Wells Patrick Brown. She was preceded in death by her
parents and her sister, Elizabeth Hartley-Keith.
Known for her love, strength, and adventurous spirit,
Lorraine was a woman of mystery and determination, deeply cherished by her
family. Throughout her childhood, her father’s work as a civilian in the Navy
led the family to make their home in various states, including Bremerton, WA,
Murphy, NC, and Fort Lauderdale, FL. After high school, Lorraine worked for many
years in Ft. Lauderdale in the insurance industry but eventually moved to
Pittsburg, KS in 1979, to raise her daughter and be closer to her parents and
siblings.
Lorraine embraced new challenges and opportunities
throughout her life. In the 1990s, she embarked on a new journey by returning to
school to pursue nursing, graduating in 1998, and eventually specialized in
oncology medicine. Prior to becoming a nurse, she worked for McNally Pittsburg
and for Honeywell Inc, as well as enjoyed many years working part-time as a
hostess at Jim’s Steak House, making lifelong friends in the process. Her years
at FLHS made an impact and she attended several class reunions over the years
and stayed in touch with many friends.
In 2009, Lorraine took a bold step by sailing across
the Pacific Ocean from Puerto Vallarta to Tahiti with other like-minded people,
truly exemplifying her adventurous spirit.
A private ceremony will take place at a later date. In
lieu of flowers, the family requests that expressions of sympathy be made in the
form of memorials to the American Stroke Association. Friends may drop off or
mail memorials to Bath-Naylor Funeral Home, 522 S. Broadway, Pittsburg, KS
66762. Condolences may be left at www.bathnaylor.com. Arrangements and services are under the direction of
Bath-Naylor Funeral Home of Pittsburg,
KS.
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