Frances Boone Hardman Goodwin

IN MEMORIAM FRANCES BOONE HARDMAN GOODWIN Fran Goodwin, born June 25, 1930, in Massillon, Ohio, to Richard B. and Frances W. Hardman, died peacefully on March 10, 2015. She is predeceased by her parents, brother Richard Hardman, sister Jean Seals, and son-in-law Jack Duksin. She is survived by George, her loving husband of 59 years; children: Timothy (Melissa Percival), Lynn, Lee (James Ivey), and Stacey; grandchildren: Callie Duksin, Samuel Goodwin, Sarah Lavelle, Daniel Goodwin, Eleanor Percival-Goodwin, and Benjamin Percival-Goodwin; and many loving nephews, nieces, and extended family. Fran was a founding member of the Women of Destiny at Massillon's Washington High School and a graduate of Denison University. Upon graduating from Denison, she moved to Washington, D.C. where she served as a staffer for various Republican members of Congress, including the Speaker of the House, and the Vice President; Fran subsequently became an ardent Democrat for the remainder of her life. She was one of two women graduates in a class of 100 at George Washington University Law School. Upon graduating, she applied to be an agent with the FBI but received a response that women were not accepted for "hazardous duties." Their offer of a lower position as a consolation was not well received by this "woman of destiny." It was in law school that she met Navy officer George Goodwin (USNA Class of 1948), and they married after her graduation. Following a decade or more of moving from station to station, they settled in Dallas, Texas, upon George's retirement from the Navy. They lived in Dallas for more than 30 years, during which Fran resumed her pioneering career, was active in local politics and various alumni groups, and came to be a role model for aspiring women. Fran completed her Masters coursework in Criminology at Sam Houston State University; served as an assistant district attorney; and, at the urging of federal judge Sarah T. Hughes, was the first woman to be appointed as municipal judge for the City of Dallas. Fran served as chairman of the American Judges Association Committee on Alcohol and Drug Abuse and was on the board of directors of the Dallas Council on Alcoholism. In 1978, President Jimmy Carter appointed her to the National Highway Safety Advisory Committee. She was later appointed a regional attorney for the Small Business Administration, a position she held until her retirement. Fran also volunteered as a dispute mediator and as an advocate for domestic abuse victims. She was a member of the Zonta Club of Dallas, a professional women's service organization. Fran received many awards and recognitions during her career, but was particularly gratified to be named a Washington High School "Distinguished Citizen" for her service to the country, and a Distinguished Alumni of Denison for her judicial career. After retirement, Fran and George moved to Albuquerque, then Santa Fe, New Mexico, to be closer to their family. Known for her keen intellect, dry wit and indomitable spirit, Fran always gathered a broad, interesting circle of friends. When faced with physical challenges in later years, she coped graciously, as she put it, by having a sunny disposition and a glass of gin. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends. A celebration of her life for will take place at a future date. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Washington High School Scholarship Fund, the Denison Difference Scholarship Fund, the ACLU, or Planned Parenthood.