Marie S Goodrich

     Marie Simmons Goodrich, 98, passed away peacefully at home Friday, August 29, with her three children by her side. A lifelong resident of Volusia County, she was born and raised in Oak Hill before moving with her husband to Edgewater in 1954.

     Marie was preceded in death by her parents Harry and Ida Simmons, brother Arthur Simmons of Oak Hill, sister Lillian Papouleas of Hull, MA, and husband Wilfred Goodrich. She is survived by her beloved sister Ida Goodrich, her son Doug Goodrich of Greensboro, NC, two daughters, Kathleen (Joe Colace) Goodrich and Lisa (Frank) Boros of Boca Raton, four grandchildren, Christy (Amsi) Bonilla, Doug Goodrich, Jr., and Kelly Goodrich of Greensboro, NC, and Chris Goodrich of Concord, NC, one great-grandchild, Ashley Bonilla of Greensboro, nieces Jennifer Bonamo of Edgewater and Karen Papouleas of Arlington, VA, and many other relatives and friends.

     Marie was born in the family home on what was later called Campton Street in Oak Hill. After high school, from which she graduated Summa Cum Laude, she became one of the first women in Oak Hill to attend college, enrolling at Florida State College for Women in 1945. During her years there, it became a co-ed institution, Florida State University, as men returned home from World War II. She graduated in 1949, with a major in Education and a minor in Journalism. Marie returned home, began teaching at Faulkner Street Elementary School and married her husband, Wilfred, on July 2, 1950. They enjoyed 37 happy years together as loving and devoted partners before his death in 1987.

     Marie took time off from teaching when her children were young, returning to the classroom in 1963. She enjoyed teaching 5th and 6th grades at Read-Patillo Elementary and New Smyrna Beach Middle School before retiring after 30 years. During that time, she earned her Master’s Degree from Stetson University. For several decades, Marie wrote Edgewater and Oak Hill columns for the Daytona Beach News-Journal, where she developed an interest in photography. She was a founding member of the New Smyrna Beach Camera Club and enjoyed displaying and selling her photographs at art shows.

     Marie loved traveling. While the children were growing up, the family tent camped on summer vacations that eventually included visits to most of the lower 48 states. Later, she and Wilfred took numerous RV trips to Alaska and other parts of North America. They also visited a number of foreign countries, including a trip around the world. This love of travel continued with vacations with her children and grandchildren until COVID curtailed her adventures.

     Marie enjoyed reading, writing and learning about area history. She contributed to the Edgewater and Oak Hill Images of America books, served for many years on the Edgewater Library Board and volunteered with the New Smyrna Beach Historical Society. She was a longtime member of Edgewater Baptist Church (now River’s Edge) where she taught Sunday School. She belonged to the teacher’s sorority Delta Kappa Gamma, was a member of the Oceanside Women’s Club, the New Smyrna Beach Garden Club and CLIC (Classy Ladies Investment Club), and looked forward to attending the Good Timers’ (formerly Old Timers’) luncheons.

     In recent months, Marie and the family deeply appreciated the incredibly warm and loving care provided by Sue, Kathy, Rose and Susanne, her selfless caregivers, as well as that of Maya and the entire VITAS staff. We also thank Beverly for going above and beyond.

     Those who knew Marie will always remember her smile. She was a strong woman who loved life, believed in showing kindness and respect to others regardless of heritage, status or circumstance, and embraced each new day as a gift. She will be sorely missed.

     Visitation will be at 11:00 AM on Friday, September 5th, 2025, at Settle Wilder Funeral Home, 406 S. Orange Street, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168, followed by her funeral service at 12:00 PM. Interment will follow at Edgewater-New Smyrna Cemetery, 700 S. Ridgewood Avenue, Edgewater, FL 32132. Thereafter, a reception will be held at Marie's home at 334 N. Riverside Drive, Edgewater, FL 32132.

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