Submitted by: Dan Rich

Patricia Goddard

March 8, 1924 - March 31, 2006

South Bend Tribune 4/3/2006

Patricia "Pat" Goddard has gone to quench her thirst for the "cool, clear, water" that can only be given by our God in heaven. Our dear mother went into God's loving embrace at 11 p.m. March 31, 2006. Mom was born Patricia Margaret Bailey on March 8, 1924, to Charles and Maude Bailey. She grew up in Marion, Indiana, where she worked for the Anaconda Wire and Cable Company. Eventually she moved to South Bend, where she worked for the University of Notre Dame in the graduate school and in public relations.

While at Notre Dame, she met her husband-to-be, Vincent P. Goddard, Ph.D., an Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering professor, who at the time was a graduate student. They were married on November 24, 1951. Except for a short time in California, they spent their life together under the shadow of the Dome, where she devoted her life to raising five children. Mom's life was made most amazing by her unwavering strength to not surrender to debilitating effects of Multiple Sclerosis. It is a disease she embraced faithfully as God's will for 58 years. While MS eventually confined her to a wheelchair, it never prevented her from leading an active and independent life. She always remained a dedicated volunteer to St. Joseph Catholic Church and Grade School in South Bend, the Ladies of Notre Dame, Holy Cross Association and many other organizations.

Mom is survived by her oldest brother, Jack Bailey, and youngest sister, Rosie Koors of Marion, Indiana. She also leaves behind her five children and their families: Joe Goddard of South Bend; Mary and George Alberici and their children, Molly, Timmy, Karen, Vinnie and Martin of Newark, Delaware; Fred and Jeanette Birondo-Goddard of South Bend; Maureene Goddard and David Frey and Anton of South Bend; and Colleen Goddard and Jackson of New York City. Mom's husband, Vince and her brothers, Pinky, Cork and Paul Bailey preceded her in death.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 4 from 4 to 8 p.m. with a parish Rosary at 7 p.m. in St. Joseph Catholic Church, 216 N. Hill Street, South Bend. A Mass to celebrate her life will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 5, in St. Joseph Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, Mom asked friends to bring a box of nutritional cereal for the poor to be given to the St. Vincent de Paul Society through St. Joe Parish and to bring a fresh cut spring flower (preferably from your garden) to place in a vase for Our Lady.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Center for Hospice and Palliative Care Inc., 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637 or to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 1-800-FIGHT-MS. Our family would like to extend our deep and heartfelt appreciation for the loving care and support of Dr. Janet Galanes, M.D., the caregivers of St. Joseph Regional Medical Center and the Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, as well as the parishioners and pastoral team of St. Joseph Parish. McGann Hay, University Chapel, is handling arrangements.

Editor: Her husband Vincent Paul Goddard died 7-25-1977, while living at 1024 Stanfield in South Bend.