Help Us Honor the Life of Joyce Elinor Goudeau

It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of our beloved mother, wife, grandmother, sister, and friend, Joyce, after a long and courageous battle with end-stage heart failure. She left us on Sunday, July 12, 2026.

If you knew Mom, you knew she never met a stranger. She had the biggest smile, an unforgettable personality, and a sense of humor that could make anyone laugh. She spent most of her life working as a special needs aide in our schools, where she poured her heart into caring for children and making them feel seen, valued, and loved.

Her kindness didn’t end when the school day was over. She opened her home to those who needed a place to stay, welcomed people as if they were family, and would quite literally give you the shirt off her back or the food from her own plate if you were in need. She lived a life of generosity, compassion, and unconditional love, always putting others before herself.

Over the last several years, our family walked beside her through countless medical appointments, hospital stays, heart surgeries, and the difficult progression of heart failure. While we are grateful she is no longer suffering, the pain of losing her is something we will carry forever.

Unfortunately, Mom did not have life insurance. The years of medical care, combined with the unexpected costs of her passing, have left our family facing overwhelming financial expenses. Her burial and cemetery expenses alone have far exceeded anything we could have imagined, in addition to outstanding medical bills and the many necessary mortuary expenses required to give her the peaceful and dignified farewell she deserves.

As difficult as it is to ask for help, we cannot do this alone. We are humbly asking our family, friends, community, and anyone moved by Mom’s story to consider donating. Every contribution, no matter the size, will go directly toward her funeral, burial, mortuary services, cemetery expenses, and remaining medical costs.

If you’re unable to donate, we completely understand. Sharing this fundraiser with others and keeping our family in your thoughts and prayers would mean the world to us.

Thank you for helping us honor a woman who spent her entire life giving to others. Your kindness and generosity will help us give her the beautiful farewell she so deeply deserves.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Goudeau Family