Thelma Georgianna (Crawshaw) Goodnow of Parsonsfield, Maine went peacefully to be with the Lord on December 27th 2024 surrounded by family & friends.

 

Thelma was born September 22, 1937 in West Bridgewater MA and is the daughter of the late Benjamin Crawshaw and Jesse (Rockwell) Crawshaw, and the loving, loyal wife of the late Lewis Goodnow, Jr. Since she passed on many have said that “There isn’t enough time in this world to have known Thelma better or be immersed in her love”. Her memory will live on for generations as the impact she had on family, friends, her communities and even strangers, made lasting impressions.

 

Thelma was the third oldest of 9 children. She was affectionately nicknamed “Mother Goose” by her younger siblings and in return she called them her “Goslings” leading them with love and exceptional care. She was baptized in Bridgewater by Reverend Lockhart in 1948. Following Jesus for the remainder of her life she spread the goodness of God through her actions and unwavering faith. She was devoted to her spirituality and read her Bible daily even asking for it to be read to her when her eye sight and concentration was declining.

 

In addition to being mother to her three amazing children, she helped raise her sister Elaine’s daughter Patty who called Thelma her second Mom. Patty delighted to attend cat shows with her beloved Aunt Thelma went on to raise cats herself. Thelma raised Lhasa Apso dogs and Persian cats, loved her horses Princess & Nick of Time and tended to the family livestock. After her children were grown, she worked for Winthrop Atkins in Middleboro, Foxmoor in West Bridgewater and lastly retired from the Forest Manor NH in Middleboro before moving to Maine.

 

Because of her charitable nature Thelma received an abundance of support and compassionate care in return from her family & friends. In Maine: her neighbors Gina, Paul, Tyler, Melissa & Betsy to name a few; her wonderful Hilltop Baptist Church family dear to her heart in Cornish ME led by Pastor Libby; the Maine Cooperative Extension group, which had luncheons, craft fairs, trips to historical sites and more.

 

Her son Eric called his mother every week and supported and loved her tremendously with his reminiscing and delicious baked goods deliveries. Donna spoke on the phone every single day with her Mom, and made sure to send cards and gifts in the mail often. Her son Dana and her daughter-in-law Sherri took care of her in their home the last stretch. Her granddaughter Nicole said that she had “fond memories of summers as a child spent in Maine because her Gram was her safe haven and she had the highest respect for her”. Her granddaughter Miranda and great grandson Maverick would come to visit several times a week. Thelma always brightened up when she watched him play with Daisy the dog or if he wanted to show her one of his toys. Her grandson Joshua & wife Leah also came to visit. Thelma was thrilled to learn of her second great grandson Ori having been born last October.

 

There were a number of other local folks here in Middleboro that cared deeply for Thelma such as her niece Lisa, sister in law Mary, longtime friends Penny & Tom, and her newest friend Linda. Kim and Stephanie started as caregivers early last year and quickly became extended family.

 

Thelma gracefully wore many hats throughout her lustrous lifetime and fulfilled all her roles with a good attitude and work ethic. She lived her life to the fullest, utilizing and sharing her many gifts, talents and altruism. As a member of her church in Maine she was always willing to pitch in and continued that spirit of the growing congregation by joining cleanup crews, participating in ladies prayer group, providing childcare in the nursery, helping in the kitchen, and visiting the members who weren’t able to attend anymore. She stayed after church nearly every Sunday vacuuming each chair in the large sanctuary well into her 80s which is a testament to her dedication and hard-work.

 

She had many passions and hobbies which included stained glass crafts, rock polishing, reading, sudoku, botany, gardening, canning fruits, making homemade butter and bread, and birdwatching; always educating herself and charmed by the natural beauty around her.

 

She showed her independence whilst living on her mountainside in Maine 16 years after her beloved Lewis passed on. She even helped family friend Bill Key to rebuild part of her woodshed in her early 80s. She extended her love to her dear Lhasa Apso Lollipop, the forest critters like hummingbirds, wild turkeys, deer, squirrels, an opossum and a stray cat while keeping house and tending to her yard.

 

We invite you to continue to keep her alive in conversation and memory sharing. One of Dana’s fondest memories is that his friends truly respected his Mom because when he was a teenager on the family farm, Thelma would stand in the bed of the pickup truck heaving bales of hay effortlessly to her children and their friends in the hay loft. She was strong, vivacious and not afraid to get her hands dirty. On other occasions she would walk across the street in front of the house in Middleboro to the path which led to the Namaskett River teaching her children to enjoy the outdoors and how to fish. She continued this journey when she shared the love of the outdoors with Nicole.

 

Nicole says it best “My Gram cherished the simple joys of nature and I’m so fortunate to have shared those moments with her. Walking hand and hand through the forest, clearing streams and brooks together - small acts that mirrored her caring spirit and deep love of the world around her. Treasured memories of exploring and marveling at the beauty surrounding the two of us.”

 

She is survived by her son Dana Goodnow and his wife Sherri of Middleboro, her son Eric Goodnow of Plymouth and her daughter Donna Goodnow McDowell of FL. Her three grandchildren, Nicole McDowell Munoz & husband Ever, Miranda Guidetti & husband John, and Josh Payne & wife Leah. Her two great grandsons Maverick Guidetti & Ori Payne.

 

She also leaves behind two sisters Pamela MaGee of Colorado, Diane Bernier of West Virginia, one brother Richard Crawshaw of New Zealand, a sister-in-law Mary Teresa Goodnow of Middleboro and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her sisters Barbara Billiter, Ruth Burns, Elaine Rocharz, and Beatrice Greenhood and her brother Benjamin Crawshaw III.

 

Thelma a lifelong learner, generous giver, and unconditional lover will continue to be the heartbeat of this family. To know her at any point in her life meant you were blessed and inspired as she brought ease and light to everyone she encountered.

 

One can’t help but feel joy in remembering Thelma’s smile, her kindness, curiosity and passion for life. May she rest in the eternal peace that passes all understanding.

 

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, January 25, 2025 at 11 AM in the Plymouth Rock Bible Church, 267 Carver Road, Plymouth MA 02360.

 

An additional memorial service will be held in Maine at a later date. 

 

To offer your condolences online, please visit our website:  www.oneillfuneral.com 

 

Arrangements are by the O'Neill Funeral Home, 59 Peirce Street, Middleboro.