Lorraine H. Goodwin, 80, of Pittsburg, KS, passed away on Friday, April 25, 2025, at KU Medical Center in Kansas City, KS, following a stroke. Born in Bremerton, WA, on Jan. 5, 1945, she was the daughter of Randall Dean and Maxine Luella (Cullison) Hartley. Lorraine graduated from Fort Lauderdale High School and later earned a nursing degree from Labette Community College, where she became a Registered Nurse at Shawnee Mission Medical Center and St. John’s Hospital in Joplin. She married Don Goodwin in Wichita, KS, who preceded her in death in Nov. 2004. A devoted member of the Christian faith, Lorraine was actively involved in AARP, volunteered at the Salvation Army, and cherished her beloved dog, Dolly.
Lorraine is survived by her partner, Jerry DeGruson of Pittsburg, KS; her daughter, Heather Scott Thompson and husband Pat of Brooksville, FL; her sisters, Connie Garason of Spokane, WA, and June Marrone of Frontenac, KS; her grandchildren, Grant Fitzsimmons, Carter Fitzsimmons, Tyler Fitzsimmons, Devin Shay Brown, and Alexa Thompson; and her great-grandchildren, Olive Rae Brown and Wells Patrick Brown. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Elizabeth Hartley-Keith.
Known for her love, strength, and adventurous spirit, Lorraine was a woman of mystery and determination, deeply cherished by her family. Throughout her childhood, her father’s work as a civilian in the Navy led the family to make their home in various states, including Bremerton, WA, Murphy, NC, and Fort Lauderdale, FL. After high school, Lorraine worked for many years in Ft. Lauderdale in the insurance industry but eventually moved to Pittsburg, KS in 1979, to raise her daughter and be closer to her parents and siblings.
Lorraine embraced new challenges and opportunities throughout her life. In the 1990s, she embarked on a new journey by returning to school to pursue nursing, graduating in 1998, and eventually specialized in oncology medicine. Prior to becoming a nurse, she worked for McNally Pittsburg and for Honeywell Inc, as well as enjoyed many years working part-time as a hostess at Jim’s Steak House, making lifelong friends in the process. Her years at FLHS made an impact and she attended several class reunions over the years and stayed in touch with many friends.
In 2009, Lorraine took a bold step by sailing across the Pacific Ocean from Puerto Vallarta to Tahiti with other like-minded people, truly exemplifying her adventurous spirit.
A private ceremony will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that expressions of sympathy be made in the form of memorials to the American Stroke Association. Friends may drop off or mail memorials to Bath-Naylor Funeral Home, 522 S. Broadway, Pittsburg, KS 66762. Condolences may be left at www.bathnaylor.com. Arrangements and services are under the direction of Bath-Naylor Funeral Home of Pittsburg, KS.
