Grace Julia Goodin (Franz), 98, died Thursday afternoon, on March 30, 2017 at the DeGreef Hospice House in St. Louis. Born March 2, 1919 in St. Louis, Missouri, Grace was the daughter of Rosa (Sauter) and Leopold Franz, each of whom emigrated to the United States from Austria in the early 1900’s. Raised in Jennings, a suburb of St. Louis, Grace attended Catholic elementary school before graduating from Blewett High School in St. Louis. She then earned her Bachelor of Science in Education from Harris Teacher’s College in 1940.
In 1941, she married Merlin “Mike” Goodin, who was employed by Kraft-Phenix Cheese Corporation (which would eventually become Kraft Foods). Because of Mike’s career, they moved throughout the Midwest, living in Louisville, Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Louis, sometimes moving to the same city more than once.
The highlight of Grace’s life came when Mike was made Vice President of Kraft International Foods, and they took up residence in Austria, living in a small pension near Lake Constance. During these years, they traveled extensively throughout Europe and also befriended the Kellner’s. Grace would develop a lifelong friendship with their son Max (Carmen), both of whom wrote long, descriptive letters across the miles to each other. This allowed Grace an opportunity to brush up on her German, and Max the chance to practice his English.
Having grown up speaking Austrian in her childhood home, Grace proved to be a tremendous asset to her husband’s career. Several years later, Kraft would honor Mike’s contributions to the company through the commission of a very special gift: an oil portrait of his beautiful young wife, which hung in the living room of every home they later would own.
Grace proved to be a skilled seamstress, who also designed most of her clothing, oftentimes mixing elements from several patterns to achieve the “look” she hoped to create. She later would say that had she been born in a different era, she might have become a designer specializing in haute couture.
She was also a talented hostess, who loved to cook and entertain. In addition to her baking skills that mirrored those of a pastry chef, Grace also enjoyed setting a beautiful table, changing out table cloths, napkins, china and stemware, and then highlighting each table with an exquisite floral arrangement that she herself would create using flowers – and sometimes “weeds” – from her own garden.
In addition to her homemaking skills, Grace was also a shrewd businesswoman at heart, who figured her own taxes, kept track of her own finances, and read the Wall Street Journal from cover to cover each morning. She would later add Bloomberg to her daily “finance” routine as well. In later years, she thanked her dear sister Lee endlessly for the “gift” of having introduced her to Don Gunn, who would become her most trusted advisor.
In her final hours, Grace was ushered from this earth by three very special people: Bob DeGrand, whom she considered to be the “son she never had.” Her niece, Lisa Harmon, whom she loved “like a daughter,” and whom Grace counted on to handle many things for her throughout the years. Also present was Judy Hale, her caregiver, of whom she always referenced as “My Judy.”
Grace was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Mike; her sister Lee; brother-in-law Ed; niece Christy Davis; and nephew-in-laws Larry Seals and Jerry Harmon . In addition to her niece Lisa, she leaves behind her niece Karen, who visited her regularly from her home in Louisiana and had a very special place in Grace’s heart; and her nephew Richie, whose early career in modeling completely captivated Grace with its focus on fashion.
Through her life-long friendship with Marie (Lauber) DeGrand, she became the special “Aunt” to Marie’s four children James (BJ); Jean, with whom Grace developed a strong loving bond through their enjoyment of travel, gardening, cooking and yoga; Tom (Kathie), who regaled Grace with his humorous stories after bringing her a freshly brewed cup of coffee each morning; and Bob, who once surprised Grace by driving all the way from St. Louis to Milwaukee, knocking on her front door, and presenting her with a large box of juicy, ripe tomatoes, which she described as one of the most spectacular gifts she had ever received.
She became “Great Aunt Grace” to Amy; Ross and Austin; Ryan (Kathe); Hunter, Lauren and Paige ; Molly, Kacie, Taylor, Blake, Riley, Emma and Avery; Todd (Liz), Tristan and Isabelle; Jane (Danny) and Mark.
Two little girls, however, grew up calling Grace “Grandma.” And so it is “Grandma Grace” who leaves behind Jessica (Tyler) and Jennifer (Dustin), who spent hours upon hours playing with Grace’s extensive collection of costume jewelry, handbags, scarves, and other fine, hand-sewn millinery, during the years Grace and Mike lived in Milwaukee.
In turn, Jessica’s children Gracie (her namesake), Tatum, Emmie, and Rhett would grow up calling Grace “GeeGee” for “Great Grandma” Grace.
But in her final days, it was “the babies” who gave Grace a newfound sense of hope and joy, and she loved draping an arm around Reese and holding Clara and Easton on her lap.
Grace also fulfilled one other role. That of “mentor” to this writer, Lezlie DeGrand. She taught me many invaluable lessons throughout our 37 years of friendship.
Regardless of whether she is called “Grace, Aunt Grace, Great Aunt Grace, Grandma Grace, GeeGee or simply “Dear Friend”…each of those lucky enough to have known her will remember her for the rest of their lives.
Services: Memorial service at Friendship Village South County Chapel (12509 Village Circle Dr.) Saturday, April 22, 10 a.m. Memorials to de Greeff Hospice House appreciated. A service of KUTIS AFFTON Chapel.