Lewiston Tribune
Ethel B. Goffinet, 88, formerly of Southwick, Orofino
Ethel Bessie Goffinet died May 21, 2013, at the Life Care Center in Lewiston, after a battle with cancer and diabetes. She was 88 years old, having been born June 22, 1924.
Ethel was born at her family home in Southwick to William Cowger and Bessie Smith Cowger, the seventh of eight children. She went to the local schools and then to Southwick High School and graduated in 1942.
After graduation, she briefly attended a business school in Weiser. She then went from Southwick to Orofino and worked as a waitress in Orofino. It was there that she met Lyle Goffinet, who became her husband, and they married Aug. 19, 1943.
During the early years of their marriage, they lived in logging camps at Whiskey Butte and Grangemont. Then they moved to Orofino, purchasing a house on Canada Hill, where they lived until they moved to the Glenwood neighborhood. It was in that house where she and the family lived for 50 years.
Ethel worked in many retail establishments in Orofino, including Crockette's Hardware, Hayes Food Stores, and the Downtown Grocery. She also managed the Circle K convenience store. She then worked at the State Hospital North kitchen until her retirement.
She then moved to Lewiston to be closer to her son who lived there. Her last years were spent in Lewiston, close to her family.
She is survived by her sons, Joe and his wife Sally, Jim and his wife Chris; and her daughter, Shirley and her husband Craig. Additionally, she has five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Mabel Cowger.
There will be a graveside service at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Southwick Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, feel free to make a donation to the American Cancer Society.
Transcribed by Michal Berreth-Beck, 2014