Obituary – Mary Elizabeth (Gowell) Goodwin

January 26, 2026

Mary E. Goodwin of Cape Elizabeth, ME died on January 26, 2026.  Mary was born in Auburn on May 1, 1936, daughter of Carl Gowell and Annie (Pray) Gowell of Auburn.  During her childhood Mary enjoyed the family camp in Auburn at Taylor Pond where they spent summers skating in the winter, and family trips to Boston and New York City. She was a 1954 graduate of Edward Little High School where she played clarinet in the band. She graduated from the University of Maine in Orono in 1958 where she continued in the band and was a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority. A year before her graduation, on June 15, 1957, Mary married the love of her life David Richard Goodwin of Portland who also attended UMO.  They were blessed to go on and have five children together, and they poured all of their love and energy into creating a connected, respectful and loving family.

Mary spent most of her life with Dave as her constant companion and best friend. They were very social, meeting up with friends, and taking annual family trips to Quebec and Boston. Mary was a stay-at-home mother for many years and relied on peanut M&Ms and Calgon baths to survive the early days, but as her children got older, she took her sweet tooth to work at Temptations and Fanny Farmer's chocolatiers. She loved the New England Patriots almost as much as her family. Mary just loved Maine. It was her home.

Locally, Mary enjoyed a good Italian Sub from Amatos, or clam cakes from Ken's, and boy, could she stretch a dollar! She loved working with her hands - from canning, to stained glass, to sewing "masterpieces" for her children to wear to school.

While Mary had a great sense of humor, she was also the steady, loving, quiet backbone of her family. She taught her children how to love deeply and show it; how to be good to each other, loyal and to keep each other close; how to show humanity and humility to others. Her children truly appreciate the gifts she and Dave bestowed upon them and feel blessed for the life their parents provided for them.

Mary will be terribly missed by her children Steven (wife Robin), Kimberly (husband John Pearson), Kristine (husband Skip Murray), Diane Woods, and David Jr. (wife Michaela), 13 grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren.

There will be no visiting hours.  A private funeral service for the family will be held at Riverside Cemetery.  Memorials in lieu of flowers: Share your thoughts and memories at www.hobbsfuneralhome.com.