Maureen E. Goodreau, 57

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Maureen Elizabeth Goodreau passed away peacefully May 20, 2016, at Berkshire Medical Center, surrounded by her children and loving family. She was 57 years of age.

Maureen was born at North Adams Hospital on June 16, 1958, the first child to Harold Francis Peters Jr. and Marguerite Yvonne (Coté) Peters. She had four siblings, all of whom survive her today: Diane LaValley of Bourne, Mass., and Daniel Peters, James Peters and Kathleen Cardinal, all of North Adams. Maureen was a loving and protective older sister and had many fond memories of growing up with her siblings in their family homes on North Holden Street and Walker Street in North Adams. She also leaves childhood neighbor, lifelong friend and partner-in-crime Tammy Peters.

Maureen attended St. Joseph's Elementary and Drury High School in North Adams, graduating with the class of 1976. In high school, Maureen was a member of the marching band, choir and chorus, and was especially fond of participating in musicals. She often reminisced about her roles at the high school and with the North Adams Stage Hands and Notre Dame Folk Group, including "Fiddler on the Roof," "Bye Bye Birdie" and "Joyful Noise." She will be dearly missed by her closest girlfriend, Lisa Arthur, who remembers meeting Maureen in the high school choir room in 1974.

Maureen also sang in the folk group Friends in Harmony for over 20 years with her sister Diane, sister-in-law Susan Wood, and friends Sue Wick, Terry Vivori and Tony Pisano. Some may remember the group from their many performances at the LaFesta celebrations in North Adams.

Maureen is survived by her first husband, Richard Wood Jr., whom she married in June of 1981 in North Adams. Maureen and Richard settled in a house on State Road, where they raised six children, all of whom survive her today: Nicholas John Peters of Manchester, Vt., Benjamin Peter Wood of Pittsfield, Patrick James Wood of Adams, Amelia Catharine Wood of Oakland, Calif., Abigail Margaret Wood of Pittsfield and John Kaelan Peters Wood of North Adams. Richard and Maureen divorced in 2006, though they continued to work together to raise their youngest son.

Maureen was proud of her family’s lineage in North Adams, and dedicated herself to promoting the city and its history. She was an active member of the North Adams Historical Society from its founding in 1988, serving as the president for five years, and later as the vice chair of the historical commission for ten years. She was especially proud of her work as the chairman of the city’s 1995 Centennial Celebration, an occasion that brought the city together like never before with a parade and time capsule.

Maureen also worked in the North Adams City Clerk's Office from 1993 to 1997. As a mother of six in her 40s, she went back to school and graduated summa cum laude from MCLA in 2004. She became a licensed social worker the same year, and began her work at the North Adams Commons Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, where she served as the Director of Social Services from 2005 (with a brief departure) until the day she died. She was a knowledgeable and compassionate social worker that was loved and respected by her residents and staff.

Maureen met her second husband, Roger Goodreau, in 2004, when they were both working at the Commons. They were married in her sister Katy’s backyard in North Adams on April 19, 2009, and lived together in Cheshire, Mass. Maureen and Roger enjoyed traveling, camping and visiting historical sites together. Some of their favorite destinations included Gettysburg, Salisbury Beach  and Parsons Beach in Kennebunkport, Maine. They also loved sharing weekends with her son John, often taking him on special trips, including a recent epic excursion to visit to the University of Notre Dame.

Maureen is survived by three grandchildren, Madeline Sadighi Wood, Benjamin Sadighi Wood Jr. and Carrick Wood. She treasured being called “Nana” and was always ready to spoil her babies with stickers, treats, and special beach trips.

Maureen also leaves three step-children, Alicia Graves of Knox, N.Y., and Matthew Goodreau and Morgan Hirsch, both of Albany, N.Y., as well as nine step-grandchildren.

Maureen enjoyed genealogy, especially researching the Cusack, Morrissey, Cote and Peters clans. She spent countless hours tracing all sides of her family back hundreds of years, and created rich and robust family trees that will be treasured for generations. She loved meeting distant relatives from across the country, often putting her children in touch with them wherever they traveled.

Maureen was an avid band parent of the Drury High School band, having watched all six of her children march and play with them. She especially loved marching beside them in the Fall Foliage Parade each year. Later in her life, she took up acting and singing again as a member of Mill City Productions, where she performed in "Zombie Prom," "Steel Magnolias" and "The Good Doctor."She reveled in being on stage and was a natural comedian. She will also be missed by her friends of the Rotary Club of North Adams, of which she was an active member.

Maureen also leaves many loving nieces and nephews, cousins, friends, and coworkers. She will be missed by her beloved yet mischievous feline housemates, Claude, Connie and Reagan.

Maureen was a passionate, determined and hard-working woman who left a positive mark on her community. Most of all, she was fiercely proud of her children. Although her illness took her swiftly, her legacy will last forever.

Funeral notice: A memorial gathering will be held at the Bass Water Grill at 287 South State Road, Cheshire, on Friday, May 27, 2016, from 1 to 4 p.m. Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals is in charge of the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Mill City Productions (PO Box 108, North Adams, MA 01247) or to the Drury Band Scholarship Fund (c/o Drury Band, 1130 South Church St., North Adams, MA 01247).