Dedicated to the memory of Graham Adcock Goodeve
Graham Adcock Goodeve died in his Sleep at Hilderstone Hall care home, Stone, Staffordshire in the early hours of Saturday, September 28th 2024. Whilst his death was sudden and unexpected, he had been suffering from a long term Heart condition and had significant mobility issues. He was however fully engaged with life and the lives of family and friends until his departure. He will be sadly missed by his five children, seven surviving grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Graham was the second child born to Leslie and Dorothy Goodeve on 27th June 1932 in Stetchford, Birmingham. His early life with his elder brother, George Leslie was severely disrupted by the loss of his Father in February 1941 when the passenger ship he was on was struck by a torpedo and sunk on convoy to West Africa during the battle of the Atlantic. Despite all the challenges that followed, Graham developed a strong and optimistic spirit and deeply supportive connection with his elder Brother.
Graham gained a scholarship to attend Sheffield University studying Geography in 1950. It was there he met a number of life-long friends and his future Wife, Jean Munro who was studying for a Medical degree. After graduation, Graham started national service as an instructor at RAF Cosford near Wolverhampton whilst Jean continued her studies in Sheffield. They decided to get married and Jean gave up her degree studies to move into Officer’s quarters with Graham at RAF Cosford during his service commission. It was not long before their first child, Anne was born.
Over the next few years,whilst the couple navigated the transition from life in RAF service into Graham’s civilian teaching career the family grew with the arrival of daughters Rachel and Susan and Deborah. A progression of teaching positions resulted in a further series of moves between Wolverhampton, Romford before settling in the Birmingham area firstly in Halesowen and then Stourbridge. During the Romford era, Don was born, making a complement of five children.
Graham took up a post at the newly developed Catholic teacher training centre at Newman College in Bartley Green, Birmingham where he was to work through the remainder of his formal teaching career. During this time Graham was very active in the life of the college; taking students on field trips, performing in college productions, playing football and being instrumental in setting up the college Sailing Club - and often with children in-tow. Meanwhile with all their children in School, Jean launched her own successful teaching career leading to a busy work and family life. Not to be out-done, Graham took on and completed his Masters’ degree through Birmingham University whilst continuing to teach. Graham took early retirement in 1983, remained busy with supply teaching and other activities. When their youngest was preparing to leave home for University in 1986, it was time to ‘retire’ - although this was always a fluid concept for Graham and Jean.
Graham, ever the avid geographer, was keen to move to a place where the outdoors could be fully explored.and enjoyed. After much exploration they settled on south west Wales. They had a new home built in the village of Spittal, near Haverfordwest in Dyffed (Pembrokeshire) and moved there in early 1987. This new location would become the heart and soul of family holiday life over the next many years. Graham and Jean fully enjoyed their new environment and took on hiking the many trails of the Gower peninsula. Graham also took the opportunity to buy a 28’ sailboat which was the core of many experiences and stories.
Graham and Jean were instrumental in the development of the U3A (University of the Third Age) in west Wales; setting up a number of local chapters. Their strong partnership led to Graham becoming National secretary and Jean becoming chair of the National U3A Trust. Their efforts over many years are reflected in the legacy of a vibrant Pembrokeshire U3A community and many friendships that endure.
Graham took on the construction of many new additions to the home including a conservatory and the digging and construction of a swimming pool and extension; a monumental multi-year effort that survives in family legend and muscle-memory.
Graham developed a heart condition over many years that culminated in major heart surgery in 1997. This slowed him down - a little; however it was always his way to down-play the severity of the issue. This worsening condition led to the final stages of the swimming pool digging project being completed in a few short days with a contractor and hydraulic back-hoe. The completed swimming pool extension was a focal point for much family activity during regular visits, now with multiple grandchildren in the mix.
Jean became unwell after a trip with the U3A to Holland that she and Graham had organised. Over the next few months it became clear that there was a deeper health issue and she was diagnosed with Cancer. After several rounds of Chemotherapy she succumbed to her illness in December 2014.
Graham continued to live in Spittal and remained fully engaged with the community he had done so much to develop there, taking longer trips to spend with family, especially his daughter Anne who had lost her partner in 2011. He also travelled with other family members, providing help and support especially with his severely disabled grand-daughter Bethan.
During Covid, it became clear that Anne was suffering from early-onset Altzhiemers. Graham offered for Anne to come and live with him, where he could care for her whilst lockdowns were underway in the calm surroundings of Spittal. As Anne’s condition worsened, the arrangement became permanent.
By 2021 it was clear that Spittal was no longer a suitable location as Graham’s degrading mobility was making independent living and being well away from a town a significant challenge. An initial move relocated Graham and Anne to Bexhill-on-Sea where family were close by and in-home care support was more readily available. This arrangement endured to 2023 when it was decided that a move to a live-in care facility was appropriate for both Anne and Graham. They moved together to Hilderstone Hall in Stone, Staffordshire.
Graham remained committed to doing all he could to support Anne in the home whilst meeting his own challenges with mobility, and taking on the project of writing the memoirs of a long and full life. He remained a cornerstone of communications with family and friends right up until his last day with us.
Graham Adcock Goodeve died in his sleep on Saturday 28th September 2024 as his heart finally ran out of the capacity to light up the world around him. He was 92 years young.
Graham was the second child born to Leslie and Dorothy Goodeve on 27th June 1932 in Stetchford, Birmingham. His early life with his elder brother, George Leslie was severely disrupted by the loss of his Father in February 1941 when the passenger ship he was on was struck by a torpedo and sunk on convoy to West Africa during the battle of the Atlantic. Despite all the challenges that followed, Graham developed a strong and optimistic spirit and deeply supportive connection with his elder Brother.
Graham gained a scholarship to attend Sheffield University studying Geography in 1950. It was there he met a number of life-long friends and his future Wife, Jean Munro who was studying for a Medical degree. After graduation, Graham started national service as an instructor at RAF Cosford near Wolverhampton whilst Jean continued her studies in Sheffield. They decided to get married and Jean gave up her degree studies to move into Officer’s quarters with Graham at RAF Cosford during his service commission. It was not long before their first child, Anne was born.
Over the next few years,whilst the couple navigated the transition from life in RAF service into Graham’s civilian teaching career the family grew with the arrival of daughters Rachel and Susan and Deborah. A progression of teaching positions resulted in a further series of moves between Wolverhampton, Romford before settling in the Birmingham area firstly in Halesowen and then Stourbridge. During the Romford era, Don was born, making a complement of five children.
Graham took up a post at the newly developed Catholic teacher training centre at Newman College in Bartley Green, Birmingham where he was to work through the remainder of his formal teaching career. During this time Graham was very active in the life of the college; taking students on field trips, performing in college productions, playing football and being instrumental in setting up the college Sailing Club - and often with children in-tow. Meanwhile with all their children in School, Jean launched her own successful teaching career leading to a busy work and family life. Not to be out-done, Graham took on and completed his Masters’ degree through Birmingham University whilst continuing to teach. Graham took early retirement in 1983, remained busy with supply teaching and other activities. When their youngest was preparing to leave home for University in 1986, it was time to ‘retire’ - although this was always a fluid concept for Graham and Jean.
Graham, ever the avid geographer, was keen to move to a place where the outdoors could be fully explored.and enjoyed. After much exploration they settled on south west Wales. They had a new home built in the village of Spittal, near Haverfordwest in Dyffed (Pembrokeshire) and moved there in early 1987. This new location would become the heart and soul of family holiday life over the next many years. Graham and Jean fully enjoyed their new environment and took on hiking the many trails of the Gower peninsula. Graham also took the opportunity to buy a 28’ sailboat which was the core of many experiences and stories.
Graham and Jean were instrumental in the development of the U3A (University of the Third Age) in west Wales; setting up a number of local chapters. Their strong partnership led to Graham becoming National secretary and Jean becoming chair of the National U3A Trust. Their efforts over many years are reflected in the legacy of a vibrant Pembrokeshire U3A community and many friendships that endure.
Graham took on the construction of many new additions to the home including a conservatory and the digging and construction of a swimming pool and extension; a monumental multi-year effort that survives in family legend and muscle-memory.
Graham developed a heart condition over many years that culminated in major heart surgery in 1997. This slowed him down - a little; however it was always his way to down-play the severity of the issue. This worsening condition led to the final stages of the swimming pool digging project being completed in a few short days with a contractor and hydraulic back-hoe. The completed swimming pool extension was a focal point for much family activity during regular visits, now with multiple grandchildren in the mix.
Jean became unwell after a trip with the U3A to Holland that she and Graham had organised. Over the next few months it became clear that there was a deeper health issue and she was diagnosed with Cancer. After several rounds of Chemotherapy she succumbed to her illness in December 2014.
Graham continued to live in Spittal and remained fully engaged with the community he had done so much to develop there, taking longer trips to spend with family, especially his daughter Anne who had lost her partner in 2011. He also travelled with other family members, providing help and support especially with his severely disabled grand-daughter Bethan.
During Covid, it became clear that Anne was suffering from early-onset Altzhiemers. Graham offered for Anne to come and live with him, where he could care for her whilst lockdowns were underway in the calm surroundings of Spittal. As Anne’s condition worsened, the arrangement became permanent.
By 2021 it was clear that Spittal was no longer a suitable location as Graham’s degrading mobility was making independent living and being well away from a town a significant challenge. An initial move relocated Graham and Anne to Bexhill-on-Sea where family were close by and in-home care support was more readily available. This arrangement endured to 2023 when it was decided that a move to a live-in care facility was appropriate for both Anne and Graham. They moved together to Hilderstone Hall in Stone, Staffordshire.
Graham remained committed to doing all he could to support Anne in the home whilst meeting his own challenges with mobility, and taking on the project of writing the memoirs of a long and full life. He remained a cornerstone of communications with family and friends right up until his last day with us.
Graham Adcock Goodeve died in his sleep on Saturday 28th September 2024 as his heart finally ran out of the capacity to light up the world around him. He was 92 years young.
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Sent by Alzheimer's Society on 07/10/2024
I am I and you are you, whatever we were to each other that we still are.
Speak to me in the easy way which you always used.
Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?
Life means all that it ever meant, it is the same as it ever was.
Extract from a poem by Henry Scott Holland
