Ledyard - Martha "Muffy" Bell Goldman, 92, died at her home in Ledyard Tuesday, March 24, 2020, with her son by her side.

She was predeceased by her brother Frederick Pabst Goodrich Jr.; sister-in-law Shirley Godwin Goodrich; and by her first husband, James Roan. She is survived by her son Patrick Roan and his partner Kim E. Wallace; grandsons, Josh and Jaime Roan; former husband Harold Goldman; as well as nephew Toby Goodrich, his wife, Linda, son Buddy Goodrich and his wife, Olivia, and daughter Carey Goodrich; niece, Anne Goodrich Twichell; nephew Peter Goodrich, his wife Marne, daughter, Laney Goodrich; nephews, Carter Goodrich and Ted Goodrich, his wife Samantha, daughter Allie Goodrich and sons Coby Goodrich and Jack Goodrich.

Muffy was born in Evanston, Ill. Nov. 21, 1927. She spent her early childhood in Paris, France, and later in Daytona Beach, Fla. As a young woman, she was a dancer and taught dance in New York City. She also acted on stage at The Little Theatre in Daytona and summer stock in Tamworth, N.H. She attended Connecticut College, finished her bachelor's degree at the University of Maryland, and received her master's degree from Catholic University. She worked in Washington, D.C. counseling veterans, and later, as a hospice counselor in Southeastern Connecticut. She started a private practice as a psychiatric social worker, which she kept up until retiring at the age of 90.

Muffy had an instant charisma that drew people to her. Her enthusiasm, wit, wisdom and humor never dimmed throughout her entire life. She had a wide knowledge of jazz, played the keyboard at home, and loved all good music. She loved the human species with all its faults and contradictions. She enjoyed great cooking, gardening, art, nature, literature, all animals, but, above all, the exploration of ideas. She would find out everything about you while revealing little about herself, not from professional habit, but because her spirit was generous and her interest was real. She loved to put on a pot of coffee and talk and laugh in the kitchen, while her pugs and the cat milled around and the birds crowded the feeders outside.

She never shrank from pain or difficulties, and even after back surgery left her bent and in pain, her buoyancy made it seem slight. She was never old.

There will be a small family gathering in the fall. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Best Friends Animal Society, 5001 Angel Canyon Road, P.O. Box 567, Kanab, UT, 84741-0567 or Safe Futures, 16 Jay Street, New London, CT. 06320. Please visit www.byles.com to share a memory or condolence.

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

Published by The Day on Mar. 29, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Martha Goldman

Sponsored by Byles Memorial Home - New London.

16 Entries

Joan Wilson

March 27, 2025

Muffy meant the world to me. She changed my life by bringing out my strengths and confidence I never knew I had. I think of her so often and wish for another visit. R.I.P. You are missed but definitely not forgotten.

Patricia Borns

February 22, 2025

Where to start? Muffy was my aunt during her marriage to my uncle Harold Goldman and remained so for years afterward, until we fell out of touch. She let us children play bridesmaids when she married in our parents' living room, and we always begged to visit them because she was warm and funny and beautiful of course and had the most droll basset hound at the time. My maternal grandmother Lotte Lee was a difficult mother-in-law for Harold's younger brother who married out of the faith, but Lotte loved Muffy. Everyone did. And I think out of a warm feeling and respect for Lotte, she studied Judaism with the local rabbi who married them. Muffy and my father acted together in our town's Little Theater where she lit up the stage. By coincidence, our parents bought the Goodrich home that Muffy spent part of her youth in, and so until my mother died did we. She was my confidante in my terrible teens, even when she moved to D.C.; and when Lotte, who was a surrogate mother to me, died, Muffy was my greatest comfort. I think there must be thousands of people who remember her this way, for I'm not that special. She was. Muffy was interested and interesting, giving and gracious to strangers as well as friends, and strong in her dedication to her clients. I've known but a few people in life who rise to Muffy's uniqueness, but none so embody that French phrase, très gentille, as she.

Dianne Beal

April 18, 2020

From the moment Ms Goldman walked into our vet practice with her little pug, Annie, we bonded. Even after Annie passed we kept in touch. We were all so happy when she brought Willy to us for care. We would always hug before we got down to business. The entire staff was so sad when we were told of her passing. She truly did light up the room and we always enjoyed seeing her. We are so happy that we still get to see Willy but we miss Ms. Goldman very much. She was a special lady.

Marlies Parent

April 2, 2020

Muffy was not only a dear long-term friend, but a mentor and very influential person in my life. I worked with her in a couple of different places and we shared many experiences. Also I belonged to the wonderful book group which took place at her house, for more than 30 years. Her indominable spirit, generosity, wisdom and humor enriched all of us in that group beyond measure. We will miss her sorely, and never forget her!

Joanne Fusaro

March 30, 2020

Muffy was a dear friend, a co-worker and one who helped me through some very hard times. She was a precious soul who listened and did not need to be heard. She will be sorely missed. Patrick, you were truly blessed to have had her as your Mom. My prayers to all !

Suzanne Cattanach

March 30, 2020

My condolences to Martha's family. She was wonderful and was a great help to me over a period of years. I enjoyed bringing my dog with me and he sat in my lap while her pug (and then later, pugs) sat in hers or on the divan. She will be missed by many.

Cynthia Brewster

March 30, 2020

I was lucky enough to move onto Rose Hill Road after I got married in 1987 and Muffy was my neighbor for ten wonderful years. I was a newly-married, 27 year old, pretty insecure girl from basically a dysfunctional family (to make a long story short). Muffy lived just to the south of me a couple hundred yards down a hill in this ancient looking, quaint adorable cottage. All around her she created this peaceful harmony vibe. She always had the coolest stuff just lying around inside and out...and the birds always around and her little garden. She turned me on to nasturtiums. ( I will forever plant hundreds of them and think of her always when i see them.) For ten years, almost everyday I either jotted down to her house for some java or she'd meet me halfway to go for our daily long walk. (She was one of those few people who would down a strong cup of coffee at 11:00pm and then go right to bed?) We lived in the middle of all this beautiful state-owned land. Aside from the pheasant hunting in the fall, living on Rose Hill Road was like living in the middle of your own little paradise. There were actually wild rose bushes growing all over! There was a perfect little trail than ran through fields of pasture and groomed farmland. We had three dogs that joyfully raced through these longs walks with us; her mutt, Spike and mine Neil (Young) and Darcy. These walks changed my life in deep, profound and meaningful ways...for the better...over and over again. I mean who gets to just hang out with the wisest, kindest, most loving, smartest, funniest, sometimes goofiest, talented, most caring trained therapist at end of each day! She was a mentor, a sister-in-arms, a mind-healer, a seeker of truth and justice, my neighbor and dear friend all rolled up into one glorious being! It is true, she never grew old. I was so blessed to visit her this past fall. Even bent over with back pain, her eyes shone that dark strikingly beautiful dark dark brown and as always with her shining wisdom and grace. I will forever cherish her memory and yearn in hope to meet up with the great and wonderful Muffaronni and those racing mutts again.

Mildred Devine

March 30, 2020

Patrick, you have my deepest sympathy in the loss of your dear mother. We often had wonderful chats and she will be missed by all of us who knew her. She was a very loving and caring person.
Love, peace, and blessings to you and to your family of whom she spoke so highly. God bless you all!
Most sincerely, Millie Devine

March 29, 2020

I worked with Muffie for many years at Hospice of SECT. She was a mentor, friend, and very spirtual human being. I learned about caring , communicating and Being to others from her. I will never forget her and who she was. I thought about her last week, and felt I needed to call her. I see why she was in my thoughts and now, she is in my prayers and in my memories of a wonderful caring, loving,and giving human being. She will always BE with me. Cele Frank

Joan

March 29, 2020

Muffy is my savior.she put me back together, made me whole again. She made me the strong, confident woman I am today.
Muffy, I love you

March 29, 2020

Thank you dear friend, mentor, and healer.
You lived life with love and laughter and touched so many lives. You Gave me such joy when you laughed or told me to get over myself. You helped me heal, and prepared and supported me through a career of healing. Your laugh was contagious. If anything you gifted us, is how to live and love, as well as being present and just. A very successful life yet though departed - you are still guiding me. Until we meet again my friend.

Joan Wilson

March 29, 2020

Muffin was and always will be the person I most admired. She helped me find my strength when I didn't think I had any. She made me dig deep inside myself to find my courage, worthiness and self confidence when I wanted to give up. She was kind, gentle, yet stern, nonjudgmental and always had her arms open for a warm hug. I love her. I am grateful for her and i respect her. She will always be in my heart and has helped make me the strong woman I am today.
R.i.P.
Lovingly,
Joan

BJ & Ruthie Pullen/Daimler

March 29, 2020

Oh Martha... we will dearly miss you. Our fun talks by the garden or over a cup of tea. Cuddling with the pugs on the couch... but most of all we thank you for all the inspiring, kind and loving words that helped us through some of our toughest times. We loved you dearly Martha.

March 29, 2020

Martha Goldman was a Godsend to me following the death of my husband. I always felt an instant peace and calmness come over me when I would drive into her yard to attend my sessions. She pulled me out of my darkness and back into this wonderful world. I still have a note of encouragement she sent me during that difficult time. I cherish it. Even after I felt better, we remained friends. She was an extraordinary woman and lady. dm

Carol Thompson

March 29, 2020

Family-I knew Muffy for 35 years or so. We worked together at the Sub Base, the AIDS project, in private practice. We would meet for lunch, a practice which sadly dwindled over the last few years. She brought laughter and tears into my life and a wonderful view of the world. I am forever grateful to have known and loved her.

March 29, 2020

Muffy was so dear to me as she was to all of the social workers at Hospice Southeastern CT whom she regularly counseled and gave support to. Then, after I went in to private practice, I had ongoing supervision with her that I still treasure to this day. No one was more humanistic or "real" than Muffy, including that wonderful cackle of a laugh she had and the love of her pugs which is legendary. Be at peace, my friend, and know you helped so many and changed the lives of those you helped.

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