Lynn R. (Tornow) Goodhue

On November 12, 2022 Lynn R. Goodhue (nee Tornow), 73, passed away after a long struggle with Primary Progressive Aphasia and Alzheimer’s Disease. She leaves behind her beloved husband of 53 years, Frederick K. Goodhue of Williamsburg, MA, and two daughters Catherine (Cathy) Savage of Chapel Hill, NC, and Emily Goodhue of Ipswich, MA. Lynn and Fred met in 1965 and married in 1969; they made their home and raised their daughters in Williamsburg, MA.

Lynn was born in Honolulu, HI on December 10, 1948. As she liked to tell people, it was the same day that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly. She was raised and attended school in Northampton, MA. She continued her education as a Mathematics major at Smith College (class of 1970, Phi Beta Kappa), and earned two post graduate degrees, an MBA and a Master’s in Computing and Electrical Engineering. A pioneering woman in STEM, she worked for many years directing the computer center at Smith College, before moving on to the Center for Human Development in Springfield as Technical Director. After retirement, she launched her own technology consulting company where she focused on helping small business owners (especially women) establish their online presence to expand opportunities.

Heavily inspired by her grandmother, Florence Ristell Staab, who was ahead of her time in many ways, Lynn was passionate about the advancement of women and the protection of human rights worldwide. She demonstrated this through her many years of service for Zonta International. She was very active in the Northampton chapter and was elected District 1 Governor, serving all New England and Nova Scotia for two years and then elected to serve as Director on the International Board of Zonta. Through Zonta she traveled the world and met people who would become dear friends. In 2006 Lynn traveled to Melbourne, Australia to attend one of many Zonta International Conventions and seized the opportunity to independently circumnavigate the globe, visiting people and places that were special to her. Lynn also attended the Commission on the Status of Women meetings at the United Nations every March and brought others along to learn and get inspired by the needed work to be done.

Lynn always approached life with scientific curiosity and a passion to help others. When she was diagnosed with Primary Progressive Aphasia in 2018, she immediately volunteered to participate in an intensive research study on brain disorders through The Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disease at Northwestern University. Her family and friends hope that her courageous and selfless contribution will help the medical community better understand and treat this devastating disease.

In addition to Fred and their daughters, Lynn leaves behind Cathy’s husband John Savage, and their children Nicholas and Abigail of Chapel Hill, NC; Emily’s husband Michael McKenzie, and their son Isaiah of Ipswich; her three brothers William (Chip) Tornow and his wife Sharon of Easthampton, David Tornow and his wife Susi of Galax, VA, and Richard Gage and his wife Maureen of Sandown, NH, Sister-in-law Avis Addison and her husband Richard of Hoosick Falls, NY; many nieces and nephews and countless friends. She was predeceased by her father Dr. William Tornow of Orchard Park, NY; mother Marilyn (Staab) Gage; and stepfather Ralph W. Gage of Easthampton.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 10 at 1PM at the Haydenville Congregational Church 143 Main St, Haydenville, MA. A reception at the Church will follow. Burial will be private and planned separately.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to support The Mesulam Center, c/o Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 420 E. Superior Street, 9th Floor, Chicago, IL 60611 or feinberg.northwestern.edu/giving.