1923 – 2003

FARMINGTON – Florence Ethel Goding, 80, of 3 School St., Canton, passed away peacefully, early Sunday evening, Oct. 5, at the Sandy River Rehabilitation & Living Center in Farmington.

She was born Mar. 31, 1923, in Sunderland, County Durham (Tyne and Wear County), England, a daughter of William and Ethel (Graham) McLaurie. She was educated at the Fulwell school in Fulwell, Sunderland, England.

During WWII she worked as an aircraft riveter and in a munitions plant.

On June 10, 1944, she married Staff Sergeant Ralph W. Goding and resided near R.A.F. Huntington, England until after the war. She moved to Canton in May of 1946. When her health permitted, she worked with her husband operating Ralph’s Cash Market, which they opened in 1947 and ran until their retirement in 1987.

She enjoyed traveling with her husband, family, and friends throughout the world including England, cruises all over, and particularly the Caribbean Island of Antigua in the British West Indies. Her most recent time spent away was during the month of August, which she spent at Popham Beach. She also enjoyed very much the time spent with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was a member of the Rumford Area Cosmopolitan and Foreign War Brides.

She is survived by her husband of 59 years; a daughter, Sylvia M. Crafts and her companion, Steve LeBlanc, of North Jay; a son, Robert L. Goding Sr. and his wife, Glenda, of Canton; three grandchildren, Robert Goding, Jr. and his wife, Cindy, of Farmington, Sandra Lynn Goding of Farmington, and Jason Crafts and his wife, Julie, of Jay; a step-grandson, Allen Noyes and his wife, Lisa, of Hartford; a sister, Jean Scott of Ryhope/Sunderland, England; three great-grandchildren; one great-great step-granddaughter; and several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by an infant daughter, Jean; a granddaughter, Julie Lynn Goding; a step-grandson, David Noyes; two brothers, Frank Hall and Robert McLaurie; three sisters, Jess Kelly, Liz Mendham, and Sally Dooley.

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