Frances Viola (Brandon) Goodale

On Thursday, January 21, Frances Viola Goodale (Brandon) passed peacefully at home in the loving arms of her daughter, Monica. Preceded in death by her husband, William Frederick Goodale Sr. in 1993, Fran was cared for selflessly by Monica and her family during her last years, for which her loved ones are deeply grateful. The family would also like to thank Fran’s caregiver, Stacy, for her service over the last 3+ years.
Fran was born on March 28, 1930 in Cleveland, Ohio to Adaline Brandon (Miller) and John Porter Brandon (known affectionately as Nana and Big Daddy). She grew up in Austinburg, Ohio. Their home was the site of countless family gatherings and fish fries. Fran was the eldest of three siblings: her John Porter Brandon Jr. and sister, Loma Lee Stone (Brandon), both passed before her.

Loma and her husband, Ray, introduced Fran and Bill while the boys were on leave from the Air Force. They fell in love and married soon after meeting, on March 21, 1953. The couple then moved to California where Bill was stationed before his deployment to Tripoli, Africa, for his service in the Korean War.  During his deployment, Fran moved east to Connecticut and stayed with his parents William and Gertrude Goodale (Grampy and Grammy). Upon Bill’s return they moved to Manchester, CT, where the first of their four children was born, William Frederick Goodale Jr. They then made their way to Coventry and lived on Mink Trail for several years, where three more children were born, Kenneth Porter, Michael Samuel and Monica Lee. They raised their four children in Coventry and Fran worked at the Coventry High School cafeteria as a cook. She found enormous joy serving home cooked meals to hundreds, if not thousands, of high schoolers over her career. She was affectionately known to all high schoolers as “Mom” or “Ma Goodale”. She was always sure to serve up extra helpings, much to the chagrin of her supervisor, making sure that no child went hungry on her watch.

Fran and Bill loved to travel by road, enjoyed cruises, and were avid campers. They were members of the North American Family Campers Association (NAFCA) and the Rockville chapter. There they cultivated a passion for camping, which they shared with their children, and made millions of memories and friends. One of their favorite spots was Nickerson’s Campground in Chaplin, CT.
In 1982, they purchased the Mineral Springs Family Campground in Stafford Springs, CT and built their dream business together. They were amazing examples of perseverance, hard work and commitment for everyone that knew them, especially for their children and grandchildren. After Bill’s death, Fran continued to run the campground with the help of Bill Jr., Mike, Monica, and their families. But there was never any doubt as to who was in charge! Fran could always be found cruising in her golf cart to deliver a message or clean a bathroom. If she wasn’t on the cart she was mowing the meadow or safari field.  At the campground she was queen and a positive influence on a new generation, just as she was as a cafeteria cook.

She was an active member and leader of Boy Scout Troop 57 in Coventry and of the Mothers’ Club of Coventry. She loved baseball, and rooted for the Cleveland Indians and was a huge Bob Feller fan. Fran always spoke her mind and had strong opinions that she freely shared. She never gave up her Kentucky “ridge runner” heritage and often reminded us that she was a rebel and would often say, “I’m no damn yankee!”

Fran leaves behind her son William Frederick Goodale Jr. and his wife Dianne of Salt Lake City, UT, their children Brianna Brotherton (Goodale) and her husband Sam, and great grandson Quinn, of Park City UT, and Cortney Proulx (Goodale) and her husband Ryan of Willington, CT. Her son Kenneth Porter Goodale and his wife Deborah of Coventry, CT and their children Harrison Goodale and his wife Betsy of Fort Collins, CO, Samantha Duk (Goodale) and her husband Michael, and great grandson James of Hinsdale, NH, Timothy Goodale and his partner Paulina and great granddaughter Talulah of Coventry, CT, and Hannah Goodale of Coventry, CT. Her son, Michael Samuel Goodale of Eastford, daughter-in-law, Lori Goodale of Ashford and grandson Ryan Goodale and his wife Amberly and great grandson Carson of Vernon, CT. And her daughter Monica Lee Bragdon (Goodale), son-in-law, Leonard Bragdon, granddaughter Shelby Bragdon, her partner, Troy Chandler, and great grandchildren Troy Jr., and Shania Leeann, of Hartford, CT, and granddaughter Sara Bragdon of Coventry, CT.
A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, January 27, 2021 at 11:00AM at Coventry Cemetery, Route 31 Coventry, CT. A celebration of life will take place in the future.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to:

The Alzheimer’s Association - Tribute page at: act.alz.org/donate

OR

Northeast Campground Association Scholarship Fund Inc.
(By check, in the memo line: CCOA Scholarship)
Mail to:
Northeast Campground Association Scholarship Fund
76 Lamb Rd
Stafford Springs, CT 06076

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