Martha (Marty) Goff of The Dalles, Oregon, died September 14, 2024 from aspiration pneumonia at the age of 99.75 years. She clearly did not “go gentle into that good night.” (Thomas, 1948)

Marty was born on December 22, 1922 in Washington, DC to Joseph Anthony and Clara Katherine Dreszler. She was the sixth of 7 siblings in a military family. Marty had many stories of her childhood growing up on Army bases which she enjoyed sharing. The family transferred to a new military base every other year. She started school in Louisiana and graduated in Maine. Attending schools in 5 States with differing curricula was academically challenging for Marty. There were times when she had to stay after school for tutoring in order to catch up. Math was especially demanding and she credited her sister, Helen, for her success. It seems big sister managed to share answers on math exams! Her problems in school led to a lifelong admiration for students who made the honor roll, as well as support for teachers and education.

As a young teen, Marty’s favorite military base was in Hawaii, Schofield Barracks. Marty enjoyed recalling her escape from the base to climb Sacrifice Mountain. Upon successfully reaching the top, she removed her shoes and sat down to enjoy the tropical flowers, birds and the view. However, Marty was unable to get her shoes back on her swollen, blistered feet for the trip back! Just in time, MPs to the rescue! In another story, a move took the family through the Panama Canal, and Marty managed to get poison oak, itching from San Francisco to New York City!

Like three of her sisters, Marty became a war bride in 1944, marrying Cpl. James C. Goff in Stockton CA. After finishing his education, they settled in The Dalles, where Marty was a proud resident for 74 years. She raised four children and volunteered at St Mary’s Academy after her youngest child started school.

Marty loved singing, reading and baking, but her passions were gardening and sewing. Neighbors called her backyard an oasis or the garden of paradise, filled with small fruits, flowers, vegetables and fruit trees. Marty could grow anything.

She loved following fashions and could replicate, without a pattern, any dress she saw in a magazine or on TV. One daughter, as a teenager, wasn’t impressed when Marty sent her off to school in a miniskirt soon after Twiggy popularized it on runaways. It was not an age one liked to stand out! Marty was thrilled when her only granddaughter turned out to also be an excellent seamstress.

She also loved decorating for and celebrating holidays. Marty joined her children cutting out construction paper witches, ghosts, bats and pumpkins for Halloween, decorating cut out cookies for Christmas and coloring Easter eggs. This love of holidays carried over to keep her connected to far away grandchildren who were thrilled to receive thoughtfully packed “Grannie surprise packages” every holiday.

When grandchildren were born locally, Marty was delighted. Throughout her 60s and 70s, she babysat them, enabling her daughter to continue a job she loved. Education still being a priority for Marty, she returned to St Mary’s as a volunteer during her grandkids’ elementary years. The parents she met then still talk about how delightful and hard-working she was as well as dedicated to the school and her grandkids, taking them out after school for treats and their other activities and on summer weekends, helping out at their events.

Marty was always kind and uncomplaining. No matter who her kids dragged home, they were made to feel welcome. One of Marty’s nurses recently commented on Marty being the nicest patient she had ever had.

The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to the staff at The Dalles Health and Rehabilitation for surrounding Marty with patience, kindness, and loving care in her final chapter of life.

Marty is survived by her children, Stacy Alan Goff (Rose Johnston), Teresa Ann Goff-Lindsay (Jan Beks), Mary Jo Larsen (Harry), Stephen James Goff; her grandchildren, Camden Lindsay, Richard Larsen (Amanda), Stephanie Bowen (Austin); her great-grandchildren, Finley, Emmerson and Nash Larsen, and Cassidy and Blair Bowen; and her nieces, Suzanne Macri Pilolla, Ann Denart, Megan Garvey, Valerie Macri.

She was predeceased by her husband, James C Goff; her first born grandchild, Dylan B Lindsay; and her siblings, Mary Vetters, Josephine Brunofsky, Joseph Dressler, Kathy Ashwood, Helen Lally and Fran Macri.

Father Rene will hold a graveside service at 2pm, Oct 11, 2024 at St Peter's Cemetery, The Dalles.

Teresa Goff-Lindsay and her husband welcome interested parties to an open reception following the service until 8 pm. Come and share memories of Marty. For more information email her at MarthaGoff0924@gmail.com

In lieu of flowers, donations to St Peter’s Church would warm Marty’s heart, if you are so inclined.

Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements