Mary Lee Goos

Mary Lee Goos, 98, of Narragansett, RI, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones on Wednesday, February 12, 2025. Funeral services were held at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, February 22, 2025, at Peace United Church of Christ in Gladbrook, IA. A visitation was held beginning 1:00 p.m. until the time of service at the church. Burial took place at Maple Hill Cemetary in Gladbrook. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Providence Rescue Mission, 627 Cranston St., Providence, RI 02907. Anderson Funeral Homes of Gladbrook has been entrusted with the arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to www.andersonfhs.com.

Born in Melbourne, FL and raised in Gladbrook, IA, she was the daughter of the late Oliver H. and Mignon Maurine (Fraley) Engel. Mary Lee moved with her family to Portland, OR while her father built ships for WWII. She returned to IA and married her high school sweetheart, Roger Goos. Roger attended college on the GI bill while Mary Lee worked as a secretary. After Roger earned his doctorate they enjoyed the adventure of living many places including MA, Honduras, Costa Rica, MD, and HI, finally settling in RI. Roger’s career as a mycologist also allowed them to live temporarily in Vancouver, Canada, India, the UK, Japan, and Portugal.

Mary Lee loved making a home for Roger, Mindy, and Suzanne by gardening, cooking, participating on school and church committees, filling the house with flowers, and ensuring chores, homework and piano practice were complete. Her creativity shone through calligraphy, braiding rugs, and leading children’s worship on the guitar. Later, she volunteered at Apponaug Christian School and worked part time at URI in payroll and registration. Most of all, Mary Lee loved people and encouraged one and all to be their best and trust God for the rest. Her life changed in 1970 when she made Jesus Lord of her life. She strove to follow Him and was a loyal member of Apponaug Pentecostal Church for 49 years.

Mary Lee was prececeased by her loving husband of 64.5 years (she wanted that half year included!) She is survived by her two daughters, Marinda Lee Cox of Tucson, AZ, Suzanne Pfisterer and her husband David of Mystic, CT, seven grandchildren, Sean M. Cox, Annie Lee Cox, Gretchen (Koji) Inashima, Daniel (Emilia) Pfisterer, John Pfisterer, Lydia (Justin) Vampatella, and Ronald (Brenna) Pfisterer, and two great-grandchildren Logan Roger Pfisterer and Reina Maurine Inashima. She is also survived by a sister, Suzanne (Lock) Young, cousin Melissa (Gordon) Keeler, and a large extended family. She was the sister of the late James Engel and Robert Engel.