Diane Barbara (neé Maxa) Goodwin, 81, of Millersville passed away peacefully in her home on June 23, 2024 surrounded by family. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend who was always there when needed, offering support, wisdom, and love in abundance.

She was born on June 15,1943, to Charles and Josephine (neé Konrad) Maxa in Baltimore, MD. She grew up in Baltimore and attended St. Wenceslaus Grade School, Infant of Prague High School, City College Night School, and some college classes at The College of Notre Dame of Maryland.

In her early career, Diane worked at Baltimore City Hall, as a secretary for the payroll department, and then at Edgewood Arsenal Chemical Research and Development Laboratories as a secretary with a Top-Secret Security Clearance.

She married the love of her life, Edward Goodwin, on November 9, 1963. They had a storybook life together. They traveled all over the U.S. with their children and grandchildren. They had a tradition of going out to dinner every Saturday night with anyone in the family who could make it. Diane cherished time with her family in Ocean City, MD. It was her favorite place to be with her loved ones and as a family, they shared a lifetime of memories always celebrating holidays and milestones together, especially Fourth of July. Diane made sure that every family gathering ended with a game of dominos at the kitchen table, complete with Dolles Taffy.

Diane was a parishioner at St. John the Evangelist in Severna Park since the 1980's and was also a parishioner at St. Luke's Catholic Church in Ocean City, MD. Diane prayed daily for all her loved ones and had unwavering faith. She had a devotion to the Infant Jesus of Prague her entire life. She kept a beautiful shrine in her home to the Infant Jesus of Prague. She also had a deep devotion to the Blessed Mother and a special connection to the School Sisters of Notre Dame, because her sister, Sr. Patricia Maxa belongs to that order. Diane and her sister share a lifetime of memories. They were best friends and enjoyed many happy times together, including many Christmas shows at Rockefeller Center.

As a young girl, Diane loved to water ski and ice skate. She continued to ice skate into the late 1980's, taking many lessons over the years. She was a life long avid reader. Those who knew her well also will remember her love of beautiful stationery and handkerchiefs. She was an amazing cook and expressed her love for family and friends through food. She loved cooking for her grandchildren and often had their delicious favorites ready for them to pick up on their way home from work. Some of her specialties were her famous crab cakes, her delicious homemade chicken and rice soup (that she would make for anyone in the family who was sick), creamed chicken, shrimp scampi, meatballs and her famous Birthday cakes.

Diane was extraordinarily organized and tidy. She was the person to get things done and usually right away. There wasn't anything she wouldn't do for her family or friends. She had the biggest heart.

She is survived by her devoted husband of over 60 years, Edward L. Goodwin, of Maryland; her dear daughter, Barbara G. Dean (Robert) of Maryland; her dear son Edward C. Goodwin (Lisa) of Maryland; her sister and best friend, Sister Patricia M. Maxa, SSND of Maryland; her beloved brother Charles Maxa (Laurena) of Maryland; and her beloved grandchildren, Robert H. Dean (Annie) of Maryland, Nicholas E. Dean, of Maryland, Benjamin C. Dean, of Maryland, and Noelle D. Dean of Montana. She was preceded in death by her beloved nephew, Robert E. Davies and her beloved niece Suzanne Maxa Albers.

Family and friends may visit on Sunday June 30th from 1-3 and 5-7pm at Barranco Funeral Home, 495 Ritchie Hwy, Severna Park MD, 21146. A mass of Christian burial will be held on Monday July 1st at 11am at St. John the Evangelist, Roman Catholic Church, 689 Ritchie Severna Park, MD, with interment to follow at 1pm at Sacred Heart of Jesus Cemetery, 7401 German Hill Rd., Baltimore, MD, 21222.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, 689 Ritchie Hwy Severna Park, MD, 21146 and/or to Hospice of the Chesapeake, 90 Ritchie Hwy, Pasadena, MD, 21122.