Rocky Hill Obituary: Ethel Goodwin, 88

Ethel "Epsie" (Coons) Goodwin, 88, of Newington, Rocky Hill and New Britain, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, January 13, 2017.

She was born on June 28, 1928 to Wilbert E. Coons and Nellie S. Orvis of Plainville. From the age of 6, she was raised by her late uncle and aunt, William and Ethel Hemingway of Plainville. She worked for Hartford State Technical College and the Connecticut Department of Transportation until her retirement in 1992.

Epsie had a great sense of humor, loved people, and always had a kind, encouraging word. She was a member of Wethersfield Evangelical Free Church and enjoyed being involved in the ministries and activities. Her desire was to show the love of Jesus to everyone she met. She also loved bowling, and up until the age of 80 was active in the Newington Seniors League and the DOT mixed league at the Bowl-O-Rama for 18 and 30 years, respectively.

Epsie was predeceased by her husband, Edward R. Goodwin of Newington; her son, James E. Goodwin of Cheshire; brothers Richard Coons of Lyndonville, VT and Wilbert (Juny) Coons, Jr. of Plainville; sisters Helen Tedesco and Dorothy Ierardi of Plainville; Lois Coons who died at the age of 3; and her cat Toby.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Lynn and Dan Rouleau of New Britain; daughter-in-law Alberta Goodwin of Newington; brother Donald Coons and his wife Joan of Wolcott; sister Beverly Werner of Bristol; grandchildren Karin Wadhams, Chris Goodwin, Matthew Goodwin, Jessica Goodwin, Colleen YoungBear and Lucas Rouleau; great grandchildren Devin YoungBear, Michael Pesante and Owen Wadhams; several nieces and nephews; friends too numerous to mention; and her beloved cat, Precious.

Special thanks to the wonderful staff and volunteers at Masonicare Hospice in Wallingford, caregivers Tracy Poulin and Kara Bolduc, and especially Carol Gee for her loving care to the end.

A celebration of Epsie's life will take place on Wednesday, January 18 meeting directly at 10 a.m at Wethersfield Evangelical Free Church, 511 Maple St., Wethersfield. Friends may call at Newington Memorial Funeral Home on Tuesday, January 17 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Burial will be at Rose Hill Cemetery in Rocky Hill.

Epsie would like donations to be made to the "WEFC Expansion Fund" at Wethersfield Evangelical Free Church.