Margaret ""Peg"" Greene Goodwin

The great Margaret Greene Goodwin, ""Peg"", 81, of Littleton passed peacefully surrounded by her family on Friday, July 3, 2015 at Select Specialty Hospital at Porter Hospital after a lengthy, painful five month period following a fall. Despite her injuries and the aggressive treatment she underwent, she remained a gentle soul throughout. Peg was born on October 14, 1933 in New York City at Flowers 5th Avenue Hospital. Peg was the eldest daughter of the late John Joseph Greene and Margaret Brennan of New York City and Hartsdale, New York. Peg is survived by her sister, Sr. Susan Greene, R.D.C., who is currently retired and resides at Cabrini on the Hudson in Dobbs Ferry, New York. Peg's sister, Kathy Greene, passed away in 2007. Peg's cousin Edward Greene resides in Brooklyn and her cousin, Joseph Brennan, S.J., as well as the large Brennan clan reside throughout Dublin, Ireland. Peg's oldest child, Robert Martin Goodwin, Jr. (""Robbie"") passed away at the age of 5 in 1964. Peg is survived by her three children Margaret Henderson (Brian) of Port Chester, New York, Christopher Goodwin (Gretchen) of Aurora, Colorado, and Jennifer Hofer of Littleton, Colorado. Peg was a mom to all of their friends, often volunteering to drive car loads of kids on trips no parent wanted to take. Peg's pride and joy were her grandchildren: Frank Henderson, age 29; Conor Henderson, age 27; Keegan Hofer, age 19; Amelia ""Wooie"" Hofer, age 18; Margaret ""Maggie"" Hofer, age 12; Abigail ""Abby"" Goodwin, age 10; and Lily Goodwin, age 7. Peg made each of them feel special; each grandchild was a source of joy to Peg. Her genuineness disarmed each of them, and her kindness and affection made her one with them. As she did with her own children, she became a friend of her grandchildren's friends through her good humor and infectious personality. Peg was a 1951 graduate of Good Counsel Academy in White Plains, New York and received a B.A. from the College of New Rochelle in New Rochelle, New York in 1955. Peg returned to school at the University of Denver to earn her degree in education in 1971. Thereafter, she began a career as a teacher in the Littleton Public Schools. Peg was a beloved teacher at both Mark Twain Elementary School and Newton Middle School. Peg's had many interests and participated in many charitable organizations some of which included soccer coach for 9 years, swim team mother at Meadow Hills CC, synchronized swim mom (which involved wild road trips all across the west coast), director of preschool religion at All Souls, Friends of the Library, Girl Scout leader, editor of Cub Scout Newsletter, League of Women Voters, and Denver Art Museum member. Peg was a great writer who used her descriptive skills to write articles for many years for the Littleton Independent. Peg was a voracious reader, and when her eyesight failed, she became a champion of books on tape. One of Peg's favorite places was the Rocky Mountains. When Margaret, Chris, and Jenny were growing up, spontaneous adventures to Keystone, Aspen, and the like were very common. All friends of the kids were invited to join as well. As many have said, Peg was the ""kick in the pants"" mom among all of Margaret, Chris, and Jenny's friends. Peg's greatest joy later in life was travelling to Beaver Creek for Thanksgiving with her entire family. It brought her great joy to see everyone together celebrating, laughing, and reminiscing. The gift of Beaver Creek that Peg gave her family is immeasurable. This tradition is one that will be carried on in Peg's memory. Peg became legend at Orienta Beach Club in Mamaroneck, New York in the 1990s as she volunteered to help Frank and Conor's swim team and tennis program in any way. She was a fixture on the beach and in the pool with the ladies of water aerobics where more chatting than aerobics usually occurred. Peg's style, grace, kindness, and gentle nature made her a friend to all. Peg loved the beach and the sun; whether it was Rye Beach, Montauk, La Jolla, Orienta, Florida, Cape Cod, the Outer Banks, or Quonnie and whether she was able to walk or we had to find a beach wheelchair, she was a fixture who would not tolerate shade. Like the WWII pilots, ""CAVU"" was one of her many mantras: ""Ceiling and Visibility Unlimited"". One does not live 81 years without hardship; whether it was the loss of her 5 year old son, abandonment by her spouse, a failed hip operation and resulting disability, or loss of vision, Peg was a model of resilience. Peg's life should be celebrated, and she, like the light houses she adored, will remain a point of light which each of us can turn to for guidance no matter what hardship we encounter on our voyage. ""Carpe Diem""! A funeral service will be held on Saturday, July 11, 2015, 1:00 p.m., Horan & McConaty 5303 E. County Line Rd., Centennial. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to Lighthouse International. You may donate at http://www.lighthouse.org/ or Lighthouse International 111 East 59th Street The Sol and Lillian Goldman Building New York, NY 10022-1202 Please share your memories of Peg and condolences with her family by signing the guestbook below.