Goodwin, Eileen Grennell

Eileen Grennell Goodwin, 95, died peacefully the morning of April 2, 2012, with her children at her side.

She was the beloved wife of the late James E. Goodwin; loving mother of James (Peg Petrzelka), Christine (Dennis Patton), Kerry (Larry Helvey) and Elizabeth (Matt Petrzelka); and proud grandmother of Aaron, Rachel and Emily Goodwin, Strider and Roxy Patton, and Jason, Zack and Stacy Helvey; and great-grandchildren, Karis and Drake Goodwin, and Jaiden and Luxe Helvey.

She was preceded in death by a daughter, Katie Quinn; her parents, Roy Sinclair and Florence Quinn Grennell; and a sister, Louise Quinn.

Born in Griswold, Iowa, on June 18, 1916, Eileen's family moved to Des Moines when she was a child. As a graduate of Roosevelt High School, Eileen had already demonstrated her gift of music, having won first place state awards in both voice and piano competitions, and having been invited to play for Rachmaninoff. She pursued her education at Drake University, where she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, with a double major in piano and voice. Eileen hosted her own radio show at KSO in Des Moines, where Ronald “Dutch” Reagan was her sportscaster. She also tremendously enjoyed her singing engagements with big bands, playing in the area in the 1930s.

Eileen married James E. Goodwin in 1940 and continued her love of music, ranging from lead roles in community musical theater (she was Golda in “Fiddler on the Roof” in both Ames and Cedar Rapids) to numerous performances of Handel's “Messiah,” soloing in one of her favorite soprano arias I Know That My Redeemer Liveth.

She was a 50-year member of the philanthropic women's organization P.E.O. International, a member of Beethoven Club and Fortnightly Book Club, a board member of Iowa Public Television, and placed international students with their U.S. families for the American Field Service in New York City.

Eileen will be remembered as much for her loving kindness and zany wit (Lucille Ball had nothing on her) as her soaring voice.

A family memorial service was held at First Presbyterian Church in Manchester, where Eileen was choir director, and a “Celebration of Eileen” will be held in June in Cedar Rapids.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in her memory to either St. Luke's Hospice or the Alzheimer's Association.

Please leave a message to the Goodwin family at Morgan Funeral and Cremation Choices in Mount Vernon at morgan.funeral.cremation@att.net.

May the sun shine warm upon your face beloved Mother, Grandmother and Friend.

Published April 8, 2012 in The Gazette