Irene Goddard McMahon

Irene Goddard McMahon, 67, of Roanoke, Va., a resident of and a strong pastoral presence at Our Lady of the Valley Community, these past five years and a long time member of Resurrection Catholic Church in Moneta died this morning, April 11, 2010, at Roanoke Memorial Hospital. She was born in New York City on November 16, 1942, a daughter of the late Samuel Dalton Goddard and Evelyn Brister Goddard. She first moved to Smith Mountain Lake in 1979 on the heels of her sister, Pat Goddard Marlar, the foundress of Resurrection parish. It was there that Irene met and married, Jack McMahon who preceded her in 2005. In addition to her parents and her husband, she was preceded in death by a son, Martin Newell; and a sister, Sybil Blood. She is survived by a son, Alan Newell; two sisters, Sister Winifred Goddard, and Patricia Goddard Marlar; and a brother, Dennis Goddard. Msgr. Joseph Lehman will preside at a Mass of Resurrection for Irene 2 p.m. on Thursday, April 15, 2010, at Resurrection Catholic Church. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the Mass. Interment will immediately follow the Mass in Resurrection Catholic Church Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Resurrection Catholic Church Elevator Fund, 15353 Moneta Road, Moneta, Va. 24121. Arrangements by BurchMessier Funeral Home, 317 W. Main Street, Bedford, Va., 540-586-7360.