Elizabeth Anne "Betty" Goodson went to heaven on Sunday, July 13, 2014 after a 3 year battle with cancer. Betty was born in Pittsburg, KS on January 13, 1947 to Eugene and Elizabeth O'Brien. She was the third born of a large Catholic family of seven brothers and sisters. Betty grew up and lived in several towns in Kansas, including Pittsburg, Parsons and in 1962, the
O'Brien family moved to Independence, Kansas.
Betty met the love of her life, Jack Stanley Goodson at a drive-in movie when she was a sophomore in high school. She graduated Independence High School in 1965, and received her associate's degree from Independence Community College in 1967. After college she moved to Denver, Colorado and then to Topeka, Kansas where she worked for Blue Cross and Blue Shield. Upon Jack's graduation from Kansas State University, Betty and Jack wed on June 7, 1969 at St. Andrew's Catholic Church in Independence, Kansas.
Betty and Jack lived in numerous cities during their 45 years of marriage. In 1971, they moved to South Bend, Indiana where she worked in the Development Offices at the University of Notre Dame. On August 6, 1973, Betty gave birth to her first born child, Jennifer Lynn "Jenny" Goodson. She continued to work for Notre Dame until her son, Joseph Allen "Joe" Goodson was born on December 1, 1977. In 1978, the Goodson family moved to Topeka, Kansas. Betty was very involved in both her children's lives and cared for her children as a stay at home mom. The family moved to Chesterfield, Missouri in 1983, and then to her final residence, Edmond, Oklahoma in 1986.
Betty was a true giver, an exceptional mother and a devout Catholic. Her passions included spending time with her family and donating her time to various ministries at St. John the Baptist Catholic church in Edmond, Oklahoma. In her later years, she enjoyed traveling and visiting many elderly women in nursing homes.
She is survived by her husband, Jack Goodson of Edmond, OK; her daughter Jenny Goodson and partner Susan deCordova of Oklahoma City, OK ; son Joe Goodson of Chongqing, China; sisters Jeanette Adolf and Colleen Guinn; brothers Don O'Brien, Kelly O'Brien and Paul O'Brien. She also leaves behind 14 nieces and nephews and numerous loving relatives and friends.
She is preceded in death by her mother Elizabeth O'Brien, father Eugene O'Brien and brother Bryant O'Brien.
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