Cynthia Ann Goodwin, 1947-2021

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Cynthia Ann Goodwin (née Shergalis) was born Feb. 28, 1947 and passed peacefully the morning of Feb. 23, 2021, with her husband and much loved family around her. She was preceded in death by her mother, Geneva Shergalis; her father, Stanley Shergalis; her step-mother, Dorothy Riddick Shergalis; and her in-laws, Reed and Christene Goodwin. She is now watching over her husband of 47 years, Gale Goodwin of Quitman; her step-son, Steven Goodwin and his wife Sandie Goodwin of Scroggins; her granddaughter, Alison Soeder and her husband Jeremy Soeder; her grandson, Reed Goodwin of Scroggins; her sister, Debbie Sevier and her husband Scott Sevier of Shreveport, La.; her sister, Pamela Marange of Elm Grove, La.; her sister-in-law, Joy-Dell Scheller and her husband Eddie Scheller of Cordell Okla.; her nephews, Daniel Sevier, Justin Sevier and Walt Roberts and their families; and her niece, Gina Thain and family.

Cindy graduated from Northeast Louisiana State College in 1968 with a degree in English and then from Southern Methodist University in 1973 with her master’s degree in literature. She spent much of her life doing her favorite things, teaching and traveling. Cindy taught for 49 years starting first in Caddo Parish in Louisiana, then to Dallas and then on to Goose Bay, Newfoundland, and Labrador, Canada before crossing the world to teach at the Yokota Air Force Base in Japan for nine years with the American Department of Defense. While in Japan, Cindy and Gale opened and ran a small art gallery specializing in Japanese art and prints. It was here that she and Gale discovered Tadashi Nakayama, spurring a life-long love of his woodblock prints that blossomed into a collection spanning decades. In 1984, she and Gale finally came home to Texas, first to Plano where she taught at Vines High School for 16 years and then Quitman High School in Quitman where she taught for another 16 years. During all that time, she retired from teaching twice, never able to stay away from it long, and touched many lives. Her favorite saying, “isn’t education wonderful?” often exclaimed in the classroom or while discussing literature, is known to many and will live on after her, ringing in school hallways and captured between the pages of her favorite books. With her loving husband Gale and often accompanied by friends, family or people caught up in her whirlwind energy, she traveled the world, loving to collect Christmas ornaments and bookmarks from her many adventures. Anyone familiar with the Goodwin house at Christmas knows about her many Christmas trees, her favorite ones being her “travel tree” and her “library tree.”

A memorial service will be held on March 6 at the Carroll Green Civic Center (602 McAllister St, Quitman, TX 75783), starting at 1 p.m. COVID-19 safety protocols will be observed. Gifts of flowers are welcomed and appreciated.

Might we also suggest, though, in honor of her memory, consider buying yourself or someone you love a book, sit on the porch with a glass of Kendall Jackson Chardonnay or take a trip to a new and exciting place. Be sure to splurge for the guided tours, and take lots of pictures.

Always remember, the days are long, but the years are short.