Margaret A. Goodale was a loving wife, mother, sister, and aunt. She died on Saturday morning, March 17, 2018. She was born on August 15, 1946, in Brooklyn, N.Y. to Frederick and Gwendolen Brewster. Peggy grew up in Murry Hill, N.J., and graduated from New Providence high school.
She continued her education at Vermont College, where she studied nursing with the desire to become a flight attendant. It was there that she met her husband of 50 years, Jerry. After briefly living in New Jersey, they returned to Jerry’s hometown of Vineyard Haven in 1970. For years she was a full-time mother of three, and active at Grace Church and in the community. She advocated for our hospital to allow natural childbirths and fathers to be allowed in the birthing room. She was a charter member of the Island Alamanders square-dancing club, and participated in community plays. She assumed the bookkeeper’s role at Goodale Construction in the mid-’80s.
After the death of her youngest son Jeffrey, she started the Vineyard chapter of Compassionate Friends. In 1994 she was diagnosed with cancer. After a devastating yearlong battle with the disease, she was pronounced cancer-free. She struggled for the following 24 years to regain the life she had before, enjoying travels when she could. Her hobbies included quilting, knitting, latchhook rugs, and skiing. She enjoyed her summers on the beaches of the Vineyard with family and friends.
Margaret is survived by her husband Jerry; her brothers Robert, Alan, and David Brewster; her children Marston and Peter. She leaves behind six grandchildren.
A reception will be held at Grace Church this Saturday after the funeral service, at approximately 12 pm.
