Donna Faye (Gorsching) Goddard died on Aug. 13.

She was born on Dec. 7, 1921, in Bessie, Okla., to Peter and Mattie Gorsching.

Shortly after her birth, the family moved to Clinton, Okla., to farm. In 1934, they moved to Shafter, Calif., as a result of the Dust Bowl.

After graduating from Bakersfield Junior College, in Bakersfield, Calif., Goddard went to Fresno to pursue training in nursing. She completed the four-year program in 1945 and was always very proud of being a registered nurse and her career of caring for people.

While still in high school, she met her future husband, F. Lincoln Goddard. They were married in 1944, prior to his deployment to the Aleutian Islands. Upon his return, a little over a year later, they established a household in Shafter. Two of their four children were born while they lived in California.

In 1950, Goddard and her family moved to Oregon, settling for a short time in Glendale, before moving on to Ashland so her husband could complete his course of study in education. While in Ashland, her two younger children were born. Goddard worked at the local hospital and cared for her home and family.

In 1960, Goddard’s family moved again, this time to Burns. She worked at the hospital, rising to Director of Nurses. Goddard also worked for local doctors and the Job Corps, driving the 30 miles each way, five days a week to take care of her “boys.” She received a cash award for how well she handled a flu outbreak while working there.

While in Burns, Goddard was a member of several boards and various organizations, actively involved with the medical community, a member of the Business and Professional Women and a member of the Pioneer Presbyterian Church, where she sang in the choir. She was also instrumental in establishing the mental health organization, making many trips to Pendleton to learn what was needed. This was all in addition to working and raising a family.

After her husband’s death in 1989, Goddard spent most of each year in Arizona, living close to three of her sisters and their families. She joined the local Vi-Sa-Wen Women’s Group and participated in their various charitable functions. For many years she wintered in Arizona and summered in Oregon. Two years ago she became a permanent resident of Arizona.

Goddard enjoyed gardening, sewing, knitting, crocheting, tatting, quilting, reading and baking. When her children were growing up she made nearly all their clothing. She used her knowledge of quilting while in the Vi-Sa-Wen Club, working with them to make trauma, baby and lap quilts.

Goddard is survived by her sister, Ollie; children, Kathy, Walter and wife Marlene, Meta and Liz and husband Frank; grandchildren, Tade and wife Leiann, Calen and wife Rebecca and Malia; five great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, F. Lincoln Goddard; sisters, Clara, Dorothy, Verna and Jeanne; brothers, Allen and Wes; and her parents.

Contributions in Goddard’s memory may be made to the Vi-Sa-Wen Club, P.O. Box 202, Salome, AZ 85348, the Wenden Bible Church, P.O. Box 237, Wenden, AZ 85357, or the charity of one’s choice.