Nora Isis Goodin

Mrs. Nora Goodin died at Brightmoor Hospice on February 25, 2016. The last of seven children, Nora was born Nora Isis LaSalle y Fussa to Nestor and Maria LaSalle y Fussa in 1926 in Puerto Rico and grew up in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico. She attended a private high school in Rio Piedras and later the University of Puerto Rico but left the University to attend Simmons College in Boston because it offered a B.S. in Library Science which the University of Puerto Rico, at the time didn’t. Since her desire was to become a children’s librarian, when she graduated from Simmons College, she accepted a position as children’s librarian with the New York Public Library. Later, she left the New York Public Library to become Head Librarian in the Higgins Air Force High School, where she met and married Lt. Andrew Sackett. When he left the Air Force, they moved to Stone Mountain, Georgia, where he and his brother James started Stone Mountain Builder’s Supply. Nora earned an M.A. from Georgia State University and a Specialist Degree from Emory University. She became a Spanish teacher and librarian in South Gwinnett High School, where she became “Star Teacher” and from which she retired. After her husband’s death, she was re-introduced to Gayle Goodin, whom she had met in 1962 when he taught English and Spanish in Stone Mountain High School. Gayle persuaded her to marry him and move to Griffin where they combined their art collections and continued collecting to build the largest private art collection in the South. A patron of all the arts in her community, Nora was one of the original members of the Board of Directors of Camelot Theatre, a sponsor of The Community Concert Association, the Griffin Choral Arts, a supporter of Camelot Theatre, Main Street Theatre, the Griffin Ballet, and the Griffin-Spalding Art Association. Her philanthropy emanated from her desire to contribute to the cultural atmosphere of her community. Nora was loved in Griffin for her ready smile and quick encouragement to others, especially to artists, her love of hats and shoes, and for her participation in community events such as the First Baptist seniors XYZ, First Methodist Young at Heart, and the choir of New Salem Baptist Church. She is survived by her husband; Gayle and their beloved Angel Baby Dixie, her daughter; Linnette, grandson; Ralph, her niece; Dianne Roper, nephew; Fred Sackett, her brothers and sisters-in law; Zane and Brenda Goodin, Dyke and Angie Goodin, and Brown and Becky Goodin. Visitation for Mrs. Nora Goodin will be on Saturday, February 27, 2016 from 6:00pm until 8:00pm at Conner-Westbury Funeral Home. A funeral service will be conducted on Sunday, February 28, 2016 at 2:00 pm in the chapel of Conner-Westbury Funeral Home. Deacon Francis “Dee” Head will officiate. Interment will follow in New Salem Baptist Church Cemetery. Please join the family in honoring the life of Nora Goodin by visiting www.conner-westburyfuneralhome.com and posting your tributes and memories. Conner-Westbury Funeral Home, 1891 W. McIntosh Rd., Griffin is in charge of the arrangements.

Nora Isis Goodin

October 1, 1926 - February 25, 2016