Doris Goddard

Doris Jean Goddard - beloved wife, mother, grandmother and friend - passed away on November 27, 2025 at the age of 91.  Doris was born in Montebello, California to Ray & Frances Webb and lived in many parts of the state, graduating from San Bernardino High School. On November 5, 1952, she married Michael D. Goddard, her devoted husband of 73 years. In the following years they lived in Corpus Christi, Texas; San Bernardino, California; Winslow, Arizona; Barstow, California; Topeka, Kansas; and Overbrook, Kansas before settling in Vernal, Utah in 1992.

Doris was a hard worker who always gave her best at every task she undertook. As a youth she picked fruit in California's central valley, as a teen she helped her father in his photography studio dark room. When her boys were young she stayed at home, and it was a blessing to have her waiting with a snack and a word of encouragement after school. She was a stellar homemaker and a fabulous cook. When her sons grew older she went to work for Hallmark Cards in Topeka, starting as an office clerk and moving up to stamping press operator. She and Mike founded, owned, and operated A Country Place Christmas Tree Farm and Gift Shop in Overbrook. After moving to Vernal, Doris served at the Chamber of Commerce as Convention Bureau Coordinator and was voted Total Citizen of the Year in 2001. Doris was a member of the Current Topics and Birthday Clubs in Vernal. She was also involved in Rotary, and one of her great joys was helping as a Rotary Reader at Naples Elementary School. Doris loved to travel and visited most of the United States as well as Canada, South America, Fiji, Australia, and numerous voyages on old sailing ships to the small islands of the Caribbean. She has journeyed down the Amazon River and climbed the heights of Machu Picchu, been to Ayers Rock and the Great Barrier Reef, and attended The Phantom of the Opera in Sydney's famous Opera House. Doris enjoyed reading and spent many evenings curled up with a good book, a cup of coffee, and a cat (or three). She loved long walks with her dogs, watching and listening to birds, and smiling at the antics of squirrels and chipmunks. Doris was raised in the Lutheran faith and was a member of Our Savior Lutheran church in Vernal. 

Doris will be greatly missed. She was a sweet and gentle spirit, caring and giving. She is survived by her husband and four sons, nine grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 6, 2025 at 2:00PM at the Phillips Ashley Valley Funeral Home.  Interment will be in the Rockpoint Cemetery.