Deanna D. Goggins

Deanna D. (DiOrio) Goggins of Auburn, died Thursday morning after a long illness. She was 67 years old.

She leaves her husband of 44 years, Gerard E. Goggins, former president of Ambassador Books, Inc. and now a consulting editor for Paulist Press. She also leaves four children: Atty. John M. Goggins of Worcester, his wife Gina and their children, John, James, Gianna, and Genna; William C. Goggins MD of Zionsville, IN, his wife Laurie, and their children, Kaitlyn, William, Michael and Joseph; Kathryn G. Conlan and her husband Matthew of Scarsdale, NY, and their children, James, Anne, Moira and McKinley; and Jennifer G. Conlan, also a consulting editor for Paulist Press, and her husband Patrick of Franklin, and their sons Joseph and Seamus. She also leaves her mother, Jenny DiOrio of New Hartford, NY, and her brother, Louis DiOrio of Whitesboro, NY. She was predeceased by her father, John L. DiOrio.

She was born and raised in Utica, NY, and graduated from Proctor High School, Class of 1959. Mrs. Goggins received her Nursing Certificate from Crouse Irving Hospital School of Nursing in Syracuse, NY, in 1963. She received a BS in Nursing from Assumption College in 1990 and later received an MBA from Anna Maria College.

Mrs. Goggins was the former Executive Director of the Auburn District Nursing Association. She retired from ADNA in 2006 after 21 years as its director.

In 1997, the Exchange Club of Greater Auburn presented her with the Golden Deed Award for being "A woman who has been an inspiration to the community, and for her unselfish support and untiring leadership to the Auburn District Nursing Association."

Mrs. Goggins joined ADNA as a part-time nurse in 1974. When she began, the agency had three part-time nurses who worked out of a one-room office in Town Hall. Under her direction, the agency grew to having more than 50 employees, with offices in its own building on Pakachoag Street.

Mrs. Goggins was deeply involved in the Auburn community. She was a Town Meeting Member for 33 years. She served as chair of the Town's Ambulance Committee and served on local boards, including most recently the Council on Aging. She was also a member of the Board of Directors of the Visiting Nurses Association of New England. She was an active member of St. Joseph Parish in Auburn, where she served on the Health Cabinet, and was a leader of the St. John's Prayer Group.

Before her illness Mrs. Goggins was a dedicated runner having completed the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington D.C. and the Boston Marathon.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend visiting hours on Sunday, October 5th from 4-8 PM in the Britton-Wallace Funeral Home, 91 Central St., Auburn. Her funeral will be held on Monday, October 6th from the funeral home with a Mass celebrated at 10 AM in Saint Joseph's Church, 189 Oxford St., Auburn. Burial will follow in Saint John's Cemetery, Worcester.

Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers may be sent to the Auburn District Nursing Association, 191 Pakachoag St., Auburn, MA 01501.