Constance Goodzeit
Constance Jane Brown Goodzeit left this world on June 22, 2023, at age 90, with her children by her side. Connie was born on May 27, 1933, in New York City to Emma Francis Baumbach and Harry Lewis Brown. On December 22, 1962, she married Carl Leonard Goodzeit. She spent the first half of her married life living in Brookhaven, New York, where she raised their two children, James and Carolyn, and during summers her step-children, Neil and Alison. She was active in her church, St. James Episcopal Church, Brookhaven Public Library, and the Brookhaven Historical Society. In 1990, she moved to DeSoto, Texas for Carl’s new job at the Super Conducting Super Collider Project. After his retirement, Connie and Carl remained in DeSoto. During her time in Texas, she was active in her DeSoto community as well, being a member of the Southwest Women’s Club, her tennis team, and her many clubs, including her book club, her super supper club, and her mahjong group.
Connie loved spending time in the garden, reading, playing and watching tennis, traveling, visiting art museums, and seeing operas. She also loved pigs, and her collection traveled with her from Texas to North Carolina for her final months. Most of all, she loved being around her family and helping look after her grandchildren when needed. She will always be Nana to them. She will be remembered for her smile, which was almost always on her face, and her sense of humor. She liked telling funny stories about the family or things that happened on her adventures, and wasn’t afraid to make fun of herself. She was very independent yet always ready to help others, no questions asked. She could be counted on from everything to painting a room, to cleaning out a garage, to fixing up old furniture, to doing the chores no one else wanted to do. She was smart and tough, but kind and generous, and a savvy investor who was always checking the markets.
Connie is survived by her son, James Edward Goodzeit, his wife Catherine and their children Michael and Victoria; her daughter Carolyn Ann Dubay, her husband David and their children Emma and Olivia; and her stepson Neil Evan Goodzeit, his wife Frances, and their son Elliot. Connie is predeceased by Harry Lewis Brown (father), Emma Baumbach Brown (mother), Carl Leonard Goodzeit (husband), Alison Joan Goodzeit Aller (step-daughter), Barbara Naumann (sister), and Gladys Keating (sister).
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to Transitions LifeCare. Connie’s family wishes to thank Transitions LifeCare for the care they gave during the final months of Connie's life at her daughter’s home in Raleigh.