Wanda Jean Goodrich

May 28th, 1931 - January 15th, 2009

Wanda Jean's Memory Wall

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Mama,

I feel like I'm in a horrible nighmare right now..there I was fussing and going off on everyone thinking the antibiodics just needed to be higher or somthing else wasn't beeing done. You were so weak and frail due to your chemos you had began again recently.We were there all those hours when u were brought over and I was there yesterday morning, You promised me mama, you promised. I wanna scold you and I cant.I was coming right back after we left the hospital that morning--I just had to go to my job and I was coming back around 5 pm. When I gott that terrible call-I thought I was gonna die.My boss would not let me drive home I was so upset.I fell out when I walked in the room and saw you there. I dont know anymore what I expected to see. I was sick and I still am. I cant believe this is happening. You gott pneumonia that ended up in both lungs and you were just to frail to fight any longer. I wish I coulda did somthing, anything. I wanted to atleast have you looking at me so I could tell you 1 last time how much you meant to me. How I love you so and I wish I had 1 last chance to tell you that and how you meant the world to me. The last words I heard from your lips were "Hi honey" and you were talking to Baby O. I love you more than life itself and I cant even grasp the fact that you are gone just that quick. God help me because this is to much to bare.

WE LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!! ALWAYS AND FOREVER!! LAINE AND OLIVIA Y'VONNE!! O WANTED US TO COME UP TO HEAVEN TO GETT YOU AND BRING YOU BACK.

Laine

Dear Elaine,
I grieve with you for your loss. I, too, am there in spirit. She will remain always a part of you, taking up permanent residence in your heart and the hearts of all who care about you.

Wanda Goodrich was much loved by her fiercely devoted daughter, and she will be missed by many who knew her personally and others who knew her through the love and respect her daughter held for her.

May you and all who grieve for your earthly loss find peace while cherishing fond memories.

Karen Nicolli

Elaine, I am Maggie's mom and am sure you remember me. I read your e-mail on her and see how much pain you are enduring right now. God knew the exact moment he was going to take your mom and knew what was best for her and for you. Maybe you being with mom as she died might have been more than you could bear. Trust in him and my prayer is that he will wrap his arms around you in your time of need and that you will lean on him. There is nothing like that of a mother's love. I miss my mom dearly but am so happy that God has allowed us the ability to have memories. Think of the good times and the great mom you had. Terry

Terry Hill

Dear Elaine,
I am so sorry that you lost your beloved mother...I know she meant the world to you and you were not ready to let her go. The death of a loved one is the most painful thing we can endure on this earth. You know all about grief, you have been thru it before when you lost your daddy. Your mother must have been an amazing woman to raise you to be such a loving, compassionate and wonderful daughter, mother to Olivia and friend to many, including me! I know you will keep your momma's memory alive so that she may be gone but NEVER forgotten.
I am so sad that I live so far away and can't be there with you during this difficult time...I am with you in spirit and I will be thinking of you while you are having the funeral service on Monday. Wish I could be there to give you lots of hugs and a shoulder to cry on!
I hope it brings you even a little bit of peace and comfort in knowing that your momma isn't suffering anymore and that she is safe with God. I thought that was so sweet how Olivia wanted to go bring her Gramma back from heaven!
Love and prayers for you,
Loree

Loree Wehrly

Mama,

It's me again...I went and sat with you the other day for about 20 minutes, I just wanted to sit there with you. I havent eaten in 3 days but I'm keeping fluids down. This has upset me so much more than I ever anticipated. Today is Saturday and I'm supposed to be there with you 2 x today as I and Olivia do every single Saturday since 2004. I want to hear your voice calling Baby O your little Angel or asking me how my day has been and is everyhting allright.Always so thoughtful--Misery and still smiling and saying everything is fine and always worried about the next person.

Laine

Laine & Baby O- A few words of advice when you get weak or when you get low ..think of the fight and courage that your mom/gramma had and has shown..also always look to your faith to guide you through..know that your mom is with papa murel and god and that she is no longer suffering..please know that me and pompeii and chelsea are always here for you and baby O..she may be gone but she will always be in your hearts and memories and that part of her death will never die...love ya both!

Carrie McKeever

My dearest,
You are not alone. Christ walks with you. I walk with you. I shall wrap you in love, you are my family, my friend. When you laugh I laugh, when you cry I cry, when you get angry I get angry. Feel what ever you must. Give yourself permission to be mad or sad whatever you feel. There is no wrong way to grieve. My heart breaks for you. I shall hold you up and together we will get through this. I love you. The Lord loves you. I shall hold you in prayer.

AGAPE,
Sandra

Sandra

DEAR MOM......

IF I KNEW IT WOULD BE THE LAST TIME THAT I'D SEE YOU FALL ASLEEP, I WOULD TUCK YOU IN MORE TIGHTLY AND PRAY THE LORD YOUR SOUL TO KEEP.

IF I KNEW IT WOULD BE THE LAST TIME THAT I SEE YOU WALK OUT THE DOOR, I WOULD GIVE YOU A HUG AND KISS AND CALL YOU BACK FOR ONE MORE.

IF I KNEW IT WOULD BE THE LAST TIME I'D HEAR YOUR VOICE LIFTED UP IN PRAISE, I WOULD VIDEO TAPE EACH ACTION AND EVERY SINGLE WORD, SO I COULD PLAY THEM BACK DAY AFTER DAY.

IF I KNEW IT WOULD BE THE LAST TIME, I COULD SPARE AN EXTRA MINUTE OR TWO TO STOP AND SAY "I LOVE YOU", INSTEAD OF ASSUMING,...." YOU WOULD KNOW I DO."

IF I KNEW IT WOULD BE THE LAST TIME I WOULD BE THERE TO SHARE YOUR DAY, INSTEAD OF THINKING-WELL, I'M SURE YOU'LL HAVE SO MANY MORE, SO I CAN JUST LET THIS ONE SLIP AWAY-FOR SURELY THERE'S ALWAYS TOMORROW TO MAKE UP FOR AN OVERSIGHT, & WE ALWAYS GET A SECOND CHANNCE TO MAKE EVERYTHING ALLRIGHT & THERE WILL ALWAYS BE ANOTHER DAY TO SAY OUR "I LOVE YOU'S", AND CERTAINLY THERE'S ANOTHER CHANCE TO SAY OUR "ANYTHING I CAN DO'S?"

BUT JUST IN CASE I MIGHT BE WRONG, AND TODAY IS ALL THAT I GETT, I'D LIKE TO SAY JUST HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU, AND I HOPE WE NEVER FORGET, TOMORROW IS NOT PROMISED TO ANYONE, YOUNG OR OLD ALIKE, & TODAY MAY BE THE LAST CHANCE YOU GET TO HOLD YOUR LOVED ONE TIGHT.

SO IF YOUR'E WAITING FOR TOMORROW, WHY NOT DO IT TODAY? FOR IF TOMORROW NEVER COMES, YOU'LL SURELY REGRET THE DAY, THAT YOU DIDN'T TAKE THAT EXTRA TIME FOR A SMILE, A HUG, OR A KISS AND YOU WERE TOO BUSY TO GRANT SOMEONE WHAT TURNED OUT TO BE THEIR ONE LAST WISH.

SO HOLD YOUR LOVED ONES CLOSE TODAY, WHISPER IN THEIR EAR, TELL THEM HOW MUCH YOU LOVE THEM AND THAT YOU'LL ALWAYS HOLD THEM DEAR, TAKE TIME TO SAY "IM SORRY", "PLEASE FORGIVE ME", "THANK YOU" OR "IT'S OKAY",....................

BUT IF TOMORROW NEVER COMES, YOU'LL HAVE NO REGRETS ABOUT TODAY.

Elaine Carter..My last fawell to you precious!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In these very trying times we have a tendecy to forget all the joy that departed Loved ones brought us, that is what should be the focous as you try and cope with your loss. I have no doubts whatsoever that you and Olivia brought your Mother joy in her weaken state. She'd want for you to remain strong and to remember the good things, the smiles shared, the warmth of family. To take your pain and to turn it into something positive, she'd want to be remebered for the joy, not the pain. It goes without saying that I'll be here for you, that's what friends do, you just continue to be here for me...

Ron

Dear Elaine, I am sorry to hear about the passing of your mother. I pray that God will watch over you and Olivia and help you through this very difficult time. Trying to come up with the right words to say is a very hard thing to do. Time is the only thing that will ease your pain. The memory will never fade but eventually the pain will. I know your upset at God right now, I was when my father passed away. But just know the He has a plan for all of us and no matter what we do, we cant change it. I pray for you and your family and I wish you the best. Take care,

Ron.

Ron Mann

Sweetheart, your mother was most definetly a beautiful lady, and I have no doubt that she was very wise as well. You have to keep your head and trust that she is in a better place, that she's looking down on you and knowing that you'll take care of your baby like she took care of hers. O needs you more than ever now. She needs that strength, wisdom and the same guidance that your mother gave you. Be strong lil Sita, you have friends that are here for you, Believe that, Your friend

Ron

Just wanted to let you know that Wanda is truly missed at SHNRC. She never missed a bible study and we've all noticed a difference without Wanda. She always had a smile and shared her faith willingly. She always looked forward to heaven and now she can rest without any pain. Wanda loved bunny patch but instead of ice cream she always wanted a banana!! We always tried to have one for her and a pop. That always made her happy. She was a very special person. God's blessings as you go through these difficult days ahead! Diane Landry Act asst.

Diane Landry

WANDA JEAN ALLISON-GOODRICH

BORN MAY 28TH, 1931 IN MADRID, IOWA
DIED JANUARY 15TH, 2009 IN SOUTH HAVEN, MICHIGAN

Wanda Jean Allison was born from the union of Virgie Rice and James Leroy Allison in May of 1931. Wanda was the youngest of three beautiful girls. Evelyn Joy, Freda Deloris,& Wanda Jean. James and Virgie raised there family in Cincinatti, Moulton, and Centerville, Iowa.

James was the Town Barber, and Virgie was a Dress Maker/Seamstress. The Family was very happy and the girls wanted for nothing. The Allison's were very good providers for there daughters as well as good teachers. They installed values, good morals, and a respectful nature to all.

Wanda was always very booksmart and did extremely well in her school days, Making the honor roll time and time again. Throughout Wanda's journey here on this Earth, she had many obsticals to face. She is admired very much by those who love her so much for that.

Wanda worked as a Hair dressor early on, then her love for numbers were always a part of life for her, She continued a career in Accountig where she worked for quite sometime at various business's.
She also at one time worked as a private care giver for the elderly in which she was great at as well.

Wanda met Glenn Gray and married him in her twenties, out of that union came a son; Glenn R.Gray Jr. Many years later in 1972 she met and married Murel Gene Goodrich, formally of Rockford, Illinois and also of Michigan and they became one in South Haven, Michigan at the little church that is now known as the Vineyard.

Out of this union, a big suprize some years later had came to the them, very late in life so to speak, but a wonderful one to them. A little girl by the name of Hazel E. Goodrich, named after Wanda's favorite Great- Aunt in Iowa. At this given time, her mother was still alive as was her Aunt Hazel. (Elaine) was not exactly thrilled with the name of Hazel as she grew, but as an adult now, she is very appreciative of it.

Wanda became very ill shortly after the baby and Murel took care of her and baby as well as worked full time in Holland, Michigan for over 27 years, as well as continued to run a used home appliance business on the side, even after he became very ill with many years of heart problems. Both were dedicated to there daughter and it showed every day they were given on this earth.

Wanda enjoyed Reading (Inspirational books), Church, studying the Bible and always taking notes on what she read, recording in devotionals and little journals what that particular sermon/message meant to her and what she gott out of it. Wanda also enjoyed shopping with friends. She was always a very giving person, even when sickness took over her body. Wanda has fought very hard battles throughout her life and through it all, she still kept smiling even when on the inside she probably wanted to cry.

Mrs.Wanda J.Allsiosn-Goodrich is preceeded in death by her beloved parents and oldest sister Evelyn Joy, by her late husband Murel G. Goodrich who passed away after a very long fight with very serious heart problems in December of 1988. Wanda was laid to rest right next to Murel on Tuesday, January 20th, 2009.

If tomorrow Starts Without Me

If tomorrow starts without me,
And I'm not there to see,
If the sun should rise and find your eyes
All filled with tears for me;

I wish so much you wouldn't cry
The way you did today,
While thinking of the many things,
We didn't get to say.

I know how much you love me,
As much as I love you,
And each time that you think of me,
I know you'll miss me too;

But when tomorrow starts without me,
Please try to understand,
That an angel came and called my name,
And took me by the hand,

And said my place was ready,
In heaven far above,
And that I'd have to leave behind
All those I dearly love.

But as I turned to walk away,
A tear fell from my eye,
For all my life, I'd always thought,
I didn't want to die.

I had so much to live for,
So much left yet to do,
It seemed almost impossible,
That I was leaving you.

I

Hey girl...just wanted to extend my sympothies to you. Even though it's been a little less than a year...this kind of pain never really goes a way!! I remember your mother so clear and how sweet she was...ESPECIALLY putting up with you, me and Sara's sleep overs..lol. What a beautiful woman she was and I will hold those memories dearly and will keep you (an O too) in heart and prayer...love ya girl!!

ps...thank you so much, by the way for stopping by my grandmother's obituary and leaving a beautiful comment for my mother, myself, and fam!!

~Nikki