Sylvia Goff Obituary

SYLVIA A. GOFF, 85 ROCKFORD - Sylvia A. Goff, 85, of Rockford, passed away at 11:15 a.m. Wednesday, May 11, 2011, at Provena St. Anne Center. Born Sept. 1, 1925, in Hackensack, N.J., the daughter of Otto and Johanna (Bartel) Pommer. On May 2, 1945, she married William F. Goff, who predeceased her in 2006. The couple had four children before Sylvia pursued her lifelong dream of a college education. She received an undergraduate degree in education from Rockford College in 1959, where she reigned as the college's first adult student May queen. She earned a master's degree from Northern Illinois University and an administrative certificate from Northwestern University. She worked as a teacher, truant officer and administrator for the Rockford School system for 26 years before becoming principal of St. Rita's Grade School in 1985. A lifelong advocate of learning, she stayed active in education after her 1991 retirement by tutoring adults in reading at the Rockford Literacy Council and volunteering as a teaching assistant in the special education classrooms at East High School. She was an avid reader and loved to sew, knit, spoil her grandchildren and do various craft projects for her family, friends and a variety of causes. But most importantly, she was her children's number one fan and supported them in every endeavor each pursued. She will be greatly missed, but forever remembered for her selfless love, endless optimism and can-do spirit. Survived by children, William (Brenda) Goff of Belvidere, Donna Jean (John) Bryan of Los Angeles, Christine Friesleben of Des Moines, Iowa, and Andrea (Carl Sherer) Goff of Belvidere; grandchildren, Chad (Kelly) Friesleben, Matthew (Cari) Friesleben and Andrea K. Bryan; and great-grandchildren, Caitlyn and Nicholas Friesleben. Service at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 14, at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, 1860 S. Mulford Road. Visitation from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 13, at the funeral home, and from 9 to 9:45 a.m. Saturday. Memorials may be made to the Northern Illinois Hospice and Grief Center or to the East High School Booster Club - Softball Fund, 2929 Charles St., Rockford, IL 61108. Express online condolences at www.Fitzgeraldfuneralhome.com.

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Published by Rockford Register Star from May 13 to May 14, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Sylvia Goff

14 Entries

Allyson Misevich Stine

May 19, 2011

Bill, so sorry for your loss. Your mom was a wonderful lady! She put me on the St. Rita School Board when my son, Michael, was in kindergarten there. Amazing experience for me. Enjoyed every minute. She will be truly missed here, but heaven will be a better place because she is there!

Danicha Bassett & Family

May 14, 2011

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

Jerry Gibson

May 14, 2011

Donna, Chris, Andy, Bill
I was at your house so often Syl was like a second Mom. I taught Project Business for two years at Kennedy and she looked after me there as well. Was a fine person and someone I will miss. Your Mom and Dad shared a Wedding Anniversary with my Mom and Dad and possibly the McQueens. Great memories.

Bob Crosty

May 14, 2011

bill and family so sorry to hear of the passing of your mom like lots of us here in rockford i had her as a principal at rosevelt and boy did she make her point come across she realy knew how to keep us all in line she will be missed by all of us who she helped out

Dan French

May 14, 2011

Bill, Andy and family very sorry to hear of your loss of a very wonder wife mother and a very good freind to our family Syl was a great woman all our prayers our with you .

Dan & Robin Kingsbury

May 13, 2011

Bill and Family,
We are so sorry to hear about the loss of your Mom. She certainly was a accomplished lady!
We know you will always remember the love she had for you and your family.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Dan and Robin Kingsbury

Greg Beksel

May 13, 2011

aww...she was the assistant principal when i was at kennedy in 84 and she gave me detention for being a bad kid....poor lady, my condolences to her family. I would attend out of respect, but I live in PA and cannot make it back.

John Bryan

May 13, 2011

Syl is lifted up by the love and respect of hundreds, probably thousands of kids she educated - and the respect, at least, of a few dozen who dared cross her. They too got an education!

She was the best mother in law a guy could hope for, and an absolute blessing to Andie K., who needed to be adopted into the best family in the world, and was.

A life well-lived, indeed....Thank you, Syl, for the honor of knowing you and being part of a wonderful family.

May 13, 2011

Donna,Chris,Andie,Bill,
So sorry to hear of your Mom's passing. I always enjoyed her. She taught me to drink manhattans and eat great lasagna.

Take care!
Rex Friesleben, Fridley, MN

Betsy Doty

May 13, 2011

Syl was a wonderful and delightful person. May you remember the wonderful memories and joyful times you had together.

Robert Pace

May 13, 2011

Donna, Christine, Andrea, Bill - Sorry to hear about your family's loss.

Your mother served as a great example of how a modern woman could raise a family, build a successful career and manage both responsibilities well.

Pamela Charles

May 13, 2011

I attended John F Kennedy Middle School from 1982-1984. Mrs Goff kept us in line, and she was respected very much.
School systems across the country would be in better shape if there were more educators like Mrs. Goff.
May Mrs. Goff's family be comforted now and forever.

Mark Pace

May 13, 2011

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

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