Marsha Goddard

Marsha Goddard, 74, of Rutland, Vermont (formerly of Exeter NH) died peacefully and went to be with her Lord on Feb. 18, 2020. She endured her cancer journey with grace, faith and wit.

Marsha was born and raised in Massachusetts, oldest child of Joseph & Margaret Bechtel, and graduated from Brockton High School in 1963. She attended Gordon College in Wenham, Massachusetts and subsequently received a B.S. in Consumer Studies Magna Cum Laude from the University of NH in 1976 as a single mom.

Marsha had a lovely Cape built in Newmarket NH with her sons Jeff and Ken.  She then married Robert “Bob” Goddard in September 1985 and has been happily married for 34 years.

After working in the nonprofit sector for a few years, Marsha joined The Timberland Company in Stratham NH in 1981. She worked in various areas of the company, playing a role in the company’s unprecedented growth.  She was able to travel for business trips to various cities in the US, to Puerto Rico, Germany, the UK, and her very special trip to Hong Kong and mainland China.  It was a company she loved and for which she worked hard for 25 years.

Upon retirement, Marsha volunteered her time in several ministries at Bethany Church in Greenland, NH where she and Bob were members.  She was able to use many of the skills, especially in Project Management, that she learned while at Timberland. One of her major ministries was overseeing the Marriage Care Team and planning the annual Marriage Weekend. She also served in leadership for six years in Community Bible Study, an international Bible study ministry.  In late 2012 Marsha and Bob relocated to Rutland VT where Bob became Business Chair at a local college.

They joined Calvary Bible Church in Rutland and immersed themselves in the church and God’s kingdom building. Since 2013, Marsha has facilitated a Ladies Bible Study in her home and that has been a huge joy in her life.  She and Bob also facilitate a couples’ small group at their home, as well as host a variety of classes. She enjoyed gardening and utilized her skills helping to keep up the church grounds.  She was also humbly blessed to be the editor for Pastor Seth Pankratz’s dissertation for his PhD in preaching.  This was truly a humbling and rewarding experience for her.

Marsha is survived by her husband Bob of Rutland, her son Jeffrey Hodgson and his wife Vanessa of Palmer Lake, CO; grandson Malacai Colebank and his wife Stefanie of Broomfield, CO, granddaughter Jessika Bishop and her husband Corbin of Palmer Lake, CO, granddaughter Hannah Hodgson and grandson Patrick Hodgson, also of Palmer Lake, and Joshua and his wife Kelsey of Colorado Springs CO; her son Kenneth Hodgson and his wife Deidre of Bozeman, MT, and grandchildren Kaira and Matthias Hodgson. She is survived by three beloved great grandchildren.  She loved her trips to Colorado and Montana over many years to see family and gorgeous areas of the country. She loved attending grandsons’ baseball games.  A treasured memory was a baseball tournament with grandson Malacai for a weekend in Fort Collins, CO.

She is further survived by five brothers, Ronald Bechtel of Brockton, MA, Joseph & Celia Bechtel of Foxboro, MA, Alan & Lori Bechtel of North Easton, MA, William & Barbara Bechtel of Bridgewater, MA, and David Bechtel and Sandra Carriero of Assonet, MA.  She has many nieces and nephews and cousins. She is survived by her former husband Richard Hodgson of Ryegate, VT. She also leaves many dear and beloved friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Calvary Bible Church, c/o Buneva Wilson, 2 Meadow Lane, Rutland VT 05701.

Visiting hours will be held from  5 to 7 pm on Friday March 13, 2020 in the Clifford Funeral Home, Washington St., Rutland VT.  A celebration of life will be at Calvary Bible Church, 2 Meadow Lane, Rutland VT on Saturday March 14, 2020 at 11 am.