Natasha Pommerenke Goodman, who raised two sons in Newtown and worked for Danbury Library, and C.H. Booth Library, followed by over 20 years at The Brookfield Library, well earned her wings at the age of 82. She passed during a brief stay at River Glen Health Care Center in Southbury.

Natasha was born in Pittsburgh in 1941 and had many fond memories of attending Shaler High School. She went on to graduate from Mary Washington College, after which she lived in Colorado with her husband, Richard O. Goodman, who was assigned to Fort Carson military base as an army dentist and never forgot how much she loved it there.

After their young family moved to Connecticut, Natasha was involved in activities with her children, Wes and Matt Goodman, as they went through the Newtown educational system and loved volunteering for many school-related events — like The Jolly Green Giant Fair, International Food Festival, Band and Chorus Parents — right up through her sons’ graduations.

Natasha earned her Master of Library Science degree from Southern Connecticut State College in 1981. After her marriage to Richard Goodman ended in divorce, she moved to Brookfield and later met Dr Gopal Ramanathan who became a close friend. While in Brookfield, Natasha enjoyed doing research and arranging community programs at the Brookfield Library. During her time there, she became quite popular and almost always ran into someone who knew her when going out in public.

As a 30-year breast cancer survivor, Natasha outlived her entire childhood family and is survived by her son Wes, his wife Suphanee, and their daughter Josie. She is also survived by her son Matt, his wife Meilin, and their daughter Isabella. Also survived by Natasha is her life-long friend, Arleen Spinarelli McWilliams, who she grew up with and most recently attended a high school reunion together. Natasha also had 12 nieces and nephews.

Natasha asked that there be no memorial service. In lieu of flowers, her sons have asked to remember her by reading a good book at your favorite public library.

The Newtown Bee May 31, 2024