In Memory
Joyce E. (Lightner) Goffeney
Oct. 25, 1929 - Dec. 9, 2011
SOUTH BEND - Joyce E. Goffeney, 82, of South Bend, IN, passed away at 5:00 a.m. Friday, December 9, 2011, in her home. She was born on October 25, 1929, in Mishawaka, IN, to Donald and Eva M. (Gilliland) Lightner Sr. Joyce is survived by two daughters, Carol Calloway of Wakarusa, IN, and Julie (Mike) Niedbalski of Bremen, IN; son, Jeffrey Goffeney of Dallas, TX; three grandchildren, David Miller of Goshen, IN, Erin Niedbalski of Charlotte, NC, and Keri Niedbalski of Chicago, IL; one great-granddaughter, Madison Miller of Goshen, IN; and two brothers, Terry Lightner of Lakeville, IN, and Michael Lightner of Scottsdale, AZ.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Donald Lightner Jr.; and her former husband, Carl Goffeney.
Joyce was a lifelong area resident. She graduated from Riley High School in 1947 and retired in 1992 after 22 years as the secretary at Madison Elementary School in the Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation.
She was a very active lifelong member of Zion United Church of Christ and was a member of Delta Theta Tau. Our Mom was an extraordinary woman who lived life to the fullest and enjoyed her independence immensely. Her church and her family were the most important things in her life. She was a huge part of her grandchildren's lives, which will impact them for generations. Mom loved children, and was known as "Grammie" by all the kids who knew her. Retirement didn't slow her down. She traveled to many different countries, as well as taking two freighter cruises. She even went white-water rafting shortly before her 77th birthday! She enjoyed spending time each winter in Florida with her extensive P-H-M family, the "Florida Bunch." But her very favorite place to be was Keiser Lake, which was her sanctuary. Mom was always helping and thinking of others. Her generosity was beyond measure.
Even through her illness, she still took time to write notes of encouragement or thanks to others. She truly cared about everyone, and was a phenomenal listener. She always tried to be positive and look ahead, saying, "Tomorrow will be better." She will be dearly missed by the many people who knew and loved her.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 14, 2011, in Zion United Church of Christ, 715 E. Wayne St., South Bend, IN. The family will receive friends from 2:00-4:00 p.m. and 6:00-8:00 p.m. Tuesday in the Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel, 3718 S. Michigan St., South Bend, IN. Contributions in memory of Joyce E. Goffeney may be made to Zion United Church of Christ, 715 E. Wayne St., South Bend, IN 46617. Online condolences may be sent to www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.
Published by South Bend Tribune on Dec. 12, 2011
06/30/2023 EJS
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