Margaret Josephine Goodenberger

Margaret Goodenberger obituary and photo

Milwaukie

Dec. 16, 1923 — July 28, 2015

Peggy was born Dec. 16, 1923, in Springfield, Mo., to Donald Porter Pray and Clementine Maggi Pray. The family established a home in Monett, Mo. She graduated from high school in 1941, and Washington University in 1945. Peggy obtained a M.A. in Christian education from McCormick Seminary in 1948, where she also met her future husband. After seminary, Peggy served as director of Christian education in Neenah, Wis., (1948-51) and Westminster Presbyterian Church in Lincoln, Neb. (1951-53). She married John L. Goodenberger on May 8, 1953, in Chicago, Ill.

During their marriage, John pastored churches in Portland, Ore., Anaconda, Mont., Great Falls, Mont., and Astoria, Ore. They moved to Willamette View Manor in Milwaukie, Ore., on Thanksgiving Day in 2000.

Peggy is survived by her husband John L.; four children: Susan Schneider, Salem, Ore.; Jennifer Goodenberger, Astoria; Mark Goodenberger (Denise Dillenbeck), Ellensburg, Wash.; and John E. Goodenberger, Astoria; six grandchildren: Mathew (Stacy), Joshua, Joy and Elizabeth Schneider, Noelle and Sophia Goodenberger; one great-grandchild, Isabella Schneider; her sister Dona Key, Medford, Ore.; Dorothy Goodenberger, Milwaukie, Ore.; and nieces and nephews.

Peggy was active at First Presbyterian Church in Astoria during the 17 years John L. pastored there. She was also involved in Church Women United, AAUW, and P.E.O. In 1980, Peggy was awarded the George Award by the Chamber of Commerce for her work in developing the local Ostomy Association, and was one of 100 women chosen in 2011 by AAUW for helping make Astoria unique. She worked as secretary for the director of nursing at Columbia Memorial Hospital for 10 years.

Peggy and John were travelers. They encircled the globe many times on Semester at Sea and on a cargo ship, cruised the Danube River and the Mediterranean, and trekked the Himalayas in Nepal. In addition, they visited most of the 50 states.

Peggy was an active participant in organizations for social justice, and engaged in cross-cultural, interdenominational religious dialogue. She was a founding member of the organization Beyond Peace. In addition, she was involved with genealogy, and enjoyed researching her family history. A lover of the arts, Peggy was an enthusiastic listener of many styles of music, played both the harp and piano, and took ballet lessons after retiring. She had a curious mind, and was an avid reader and thinker on many subjects.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Aug. 29 at 2:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 1103 Grand Ave., in Astoria, Ore. A reception will follow.

Memorial gifts may by made to: P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship Fund, United Ostomy Association, or Heifer International.

Caldwell’s Luce-Layton Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Please sign our online obituary at: www.caldwellsmortuary.com.