Jean Eleanor Goodman

Born on June 26, 1934, in Oak Park, Illinois, Jean was the third of four children. She met her husband Bob Goodman in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, and they shared a joyful marriage of 57 years until his passing in 2012. In her late forties, Jean went back to school and graduated with honors from Elon College with a bachelor’s degree in education. For over four decades, she served as an assistant and teacher in Alamance County Schools, Clover Garden Charter, and River Mill Academy. Her greatest passion was her Adopt-A-Grandparent program that she ran for over 22 years which connected students with senior citizens to foster relationships between the generations. She would take about 55 students each month to visit residents at local senior facilities to teach her students the worth of serving others.

Beyond the classroom, Jean was known for her love of reading, her artistic talent, canning hundreds of jars of Bob’s garden vegetables, and her long service to Mebane Street Church of Christ.

Jean is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Bob, and her adored daughter, Suzette. She is survived by her children Sandy Goodman, Sherry Torgent (and her husband Doug), Joy Hesman (and her husband Charles), and five cherished grandchildren: Casey (and fiancé Dana), Lauren, Cameron (and wife Shirley), and Cassie (and fiancé Jared).

A memorial service to honor Jean’s life and legacy will be held at 2:00PM on Monday, December 29, 2025, at Lowe Funeral Home Chapel, Burlington, NC. Visitation will be from 12:30-1:45 prior to the service. A short graveside ceremony will be held at Alamance Memorial Park at 3:00.

Jean will be remembered as someone who was a guiding light to many young students. She leaves behind a legacy of faith, and her memory will forever be a blessing to those who knew her.