Norah P. Goddard

Norah Pennington Goddard, 87, of Cambridge passed away on Monday, November 12, 2012 in Manahawkin, New Jersey after a lengthy illness. She was born the third daughter of Arthur and Sarah Pennington in Bromborough, Cheshire, England on May 6, 1925.

Norah joined the Women's Royal English Naval Service (WRENS) at age 17 in April of 1943 and served in the Pacific until November of 1946. She met her husband, E. Desmond Goddard at Port Sunlight in England. When they met she was working as a bookkeeper and he as a research scientist and was completing his Ph.D. thesis. Norah and Desmond were married on August 30, 1954 in Bromborough, England and then they emigrated to North America. After spending a few years in Canada, the couple permanently settled in the United States.

Norah Pennington Goddard is survived by two children, Jennifer Goddard Brant and Andrew Vyvyan Goddard, her children's spouses, Paul D. Brant, O.D. and Stacey Celentano Goddard, and five grandchildren, Katie Brant, Laura Brant, Emma Brant, Jonathon Goddard, and Allison Goddard. Norah is also survived by two siblings, Mary Pennington Crellin and John Pennington, and sister-in-law, Claire Campbell Pennington. Surviving nieces and nephews include Ian Crellin and Kate McNairn, Janine Crellin Barclay, Adrian and Jill Butler, David and Janet Pennington, Colin and Jayne Pennington, and Gareth and Hayley Pennington.

Norah Goddard was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, E. Desmond Goddard (01/03/1926-12/31/2009), and by her son, Christopher Courtenay Goddard (06/07/1960-04/19/1971). She was also preceded in death by her sister, Joan Pennington Butler, and by her brothers-in-law, Reginald Butler and Kenneth Crellin.

Norah Goddard was an avid reader and had a great love of poetry, Jane Austen, and music, especially Gilbert & Sullivan. She was an accomplished artist in many different media, with the most recent focus being stained glass. She loved the water and liked to spend time at the ocean. She also loved traveling. Most of all Norah loved her family and spending time with her grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at Christ Episcopal Church, in Cambridge, MD, at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 8th. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Norah Goddard's honor to the Red Cross Hurricane Relief Fund or to Christ Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 456, Cambridge, MD 21613. Arrangements are in the care of the Thomas Funeral Home, P.A. in Cambridge.