Vivian Elster Goff

1930 - 2023

BORN

1930

DIED

2023

Vivian Goff Obituary

Vivian Elster Goff
July 7, 1930 - April 28, 2023
Cambria, California - Viv Goff passed away Friday, April 28, 2023 after an extended battle with multiple types of cancer. She fought courageously and was able to stay in her own home until the end. She died peacefully with her daughter, son, daughter-in-law and oldest grandson by her side.
Viv leaves behind her greatest legacy, a loving family. Children Roger and Randy Goff, Lori and Jack O'Brien. Her Grandchildren, Kellen Goff and Jessica Goff, Jeff and Miranda O'Brien, Kerry and Cheri O'Brien, and Brandi and Andrew Leff. Her Great-Grandchildren, Briahanna and Michael Copeland, Karly and David Long and Justin O'Brien. Her Great-Great-Grandson, Tommy Sanborn.
Viv moved to Cambria, California from Palos Verdes Estates, California in 1993. After a career as CFO of Accurate Wire Products which was the company she and her husband, Bud, built, it was time to retire, but she never slowed down. Viv started her new multiple careers at the Pewter Plough Playhouse as Actress, Director, Producer and Stage Manager. She also sang in the local Chorale and various Church Choirs. When she decided to take a minute to catch her breath, she went to Cuesta College and obtained her degree and then she joined Lions Club for good measure.
After Bud, her husband of 47 years, died on August 18, 2016, Viv became part of the "Girls Club" of fabulous friends who met each month to celebrate birthdays, go see a movie in Morro Bay or have a great dinner on the ocean.
Her greatest joy was having family and friends over so she could cook. There was always food for 50 available and always a place to sleep. She never said no if you brought along a pet, they were the most honored guests of all.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Cancer Society or your favorite Animal Shelter.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Luis Obispo County Tribune on May 3, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Vivian Goff

4 Entries

Yoly

October 17, 2023

Dear Viv: I miss you so much. Thank you and Bud for letting me stay in home when I came to town. It was a pleasure hearing you sing and play piano and singing with you and David. I plan to visit again but it will be a lonely trip because it won't be the same without you. 'Til we meet again.

Rebecca Buckley

July 20, 2023

Dear lovely friend Viv Goff has left this world at age 92 to join the other angels in the heavens sing their beautiful songs!

She retired from the Pewter Plough Playhouse in 2017 after 20+ years being a part of Jim Buckley´s management team, and then working with me. We all felt the loss of her talents then, but it´s an even greater loss now.

I always thought Viv´s life story should have been written, as she told me bits and pieces, I´m sorry I didn´t pin her down to write it. It´s another full one, like mine, with lots of one-eighty jig and jags, romance and drama.

I´ll always remember the good times we had together, in those latter years ... Oh yes, many.

Rest In Peace, Pretty Woman!!!

Marylyn Villeneuve

May 8, 2023

Viv was a dear friend since 1994, after my husband and I moved to Cambria. I joined the Cambria Chorale and she was one of my first friends, then we sang together in a small professional group (4 women, 2 men) called "927 Jazz" for 7 years. Viv had a beautiful soprano voice and could sing by memory the words to most of the old standards. Over the years we enjoyed a multitude of great times together with our singing group; birthday celebrations, anniversaries, Pinedorado Follies. Viv became a very talented director, directing and singing in her own musical, and a yearly musical at the Pewter Plough.
Viv had a huge, loving heart for all animals and especially, at the end, for her beloved cat, Tuxie. She swore he was the smartest cat ever.
Viv was an exceptional woman with a life force of loving kindness. She was strong, she was generous, and loving. And she enjoyed cooking and having people over for meals. She especially loved making cakes for birthdays. I miss you, Viv. Your memory will be with me always.

Joie MacAdam

May 6, 2023

Viv was a shining light in the old Pewter Plough Playhouse, on the stage and off. She was a talented actress and director of what we used to fondly call The Viv and Dave show, the annual musical. She added her wisdom to Board meetings and brought her mathematical skills to keeping the theatres books. An animal lover, she was quick to donate when I asked her to help with the cost of spaying and neutering a mama and 6 kittens, part of a colony of ranch cats in Paso Robles for whom we, with the help of HART, found a couple of homes and the rest ended up coming home to our family where they are still.

Small and dainty in stature, she was a strong woman, unafraid to speak her mind, and did so often during board meetings.
Au revoir, Viv.

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