Eleanor Marie Schmeig Goodwin

Eleanor Marie Schmeig Goodwin of Clarks Green died at Mercy Skilled Nursing on Tuesday afternoon. Her husband is the Rev. George F. Goodwin.

Born in Scranton, daughter of the late George and Lydia Schwalbach Schmeig, she graduated from Scranton Technical High School and attended Keystone Junior College. Before retirement, Eleanor was employed at Elm Park United Methodist Church as the financial secretary as well as the director of religious education for the church school and youth program and an adviser for the Young Adult Fellowship.

Eleanor was baptized and confirmed as a member of Hickory Street Presbyterian Church, Scranton, becoming a member of Elm Park United Methodist Church during her employment there. Eleanor and George were married in the sanctuary of Elm Park United Methodist Church on Nov. 14, 1959. She continued to do the work she loved in each of the churches that George served. When George became Scranton District superintendent, she did the secretarial work. During these years, she enjoyed raising the couple's two sons as well as caring for her mother.

She was a talented seamstress, having learned the art from her mother at an early age. She designed and made many of her own dresses, including her wedding dress. She also enjoyed painting with oils and pastels as well as fashioning crib-size quilts for new family members.

Eleanor's faith carried her through life as she endured many personal illnesses. The passing of her first-born son at almost 23 years of age was a tragic experience for her and her husband, and it was only their faith in God that gave them the strength to go on.

Also surviving are a son, Jonathan James Goodwin and wife, Andrea J., Ph.D., Columbia, Md.; two grandchildren, Christopher George and Zachary Thomas Goodwin; a niece, Christina Wagner Saylor and husband, Frederick; a nephew, George Wagner; a former daughter-in-law, Carol Slaff and husband, Craig, and their children, Deena Jean, Shannon Rae and Richard Nathaniel Slaff; and a Rotary exchange son, Kari V. A. Kankaala, Tampere, Finland.

She was also preceded in death by a son, George Foster Goodwin Jr.; a sister, Lydia Schmeig Wagner; and a brother-in-law, Arthur G. Wagner.

The funeral will be Saturday at 11 a.m. from Clarks Green United Methodist Church, 119 Glenburn Road, Clarks Green, with services by the Rev. Linda Sweezy, pastor, and the Rev. Lori Steffensen, former pastor. Interment, Dunmore Cemetery.

Friends may call from 10 until the time of the service at the church.

Memorials may be made to Clarks Green United Methodist Church.