Obituary of Mary Frances Goode Siersema

Mary Frances Goode Siersema, 84, passed away with her loving children by her side on April 5, 2023 at home in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. A native of Richmond, Virginia, she was the wife of the late Reynold C. Siersema, Jr. (Bucky) and the daughter of the late Helen and Ralph Goode.

Mary Frances enjoyed growing up in Richmond, spending time at her family’s farm in Moseley and summer vacations in Virginia Beach where she would meet the love of her life, Bucky. It was love at first sight and the teenagers knew they were destined to be together. They married a few years later, settling in Richmond to start a family.

Mary Frances attended Thomas Jefferson High School and studied education at Longwood College and The University of Virginia. Following graduation, she returned to Richmond and was a 3rd grade teacher at Skipwith Elementary School for several years before deciding to pursue other interests in her community. She served as a president of The Windsor Farms Garden Club and was a former member of the Tuckahoe Woman's Club. She also deeply loved animals and was blessed with many pets over the course of her life with an affection for naming them after bread products.

Mary Frances was devoted to her faith and a beloved member of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church where she volunteered on the altar guild and Mayfair House. Eventually, she joined the staff full time overseeing operations and services at the church for twenty-six years. If you were married, buried, or baptized at St. Stephen’s during that time, you probably met a smiling and guiding Mary Frances.

With her radiating warmth, sharp wit, and wisdom for miles, Mary Frances holds a special place in our hearts and will be deeply missed by all that knew her.

Mary Frances is survived by her son Reynold Clinton Siersema, III (Dutch) and his wife, Lindsay of Evanston, Illinois; her daughter Laura Siersema Long and husband, Monte of Lewisville, North Carolina; her grandchildren, Mary Mercer, Elizabeth Lucille (Lucy), and Caroline Phoebe Long; her sister-in-law, Kathryn Keown Goode; her niece, Kimberly Ann Goode; her nephews, David Ashley Goode and wife, Sarah; and Jonathan Whitby Goode and wife, Gratia; and her great nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, Mary Frances was preceded in death by her brother, Clyde Joseph Goode and her parents-in-law, Elizabeth Mercer Siersema and Dr. Reynold C. Siersema, Sr. (Ray).

A memorial service and reception are planned for Thursday, June 1 at 2:00pm at St. Stephens Episcopal Church and a graveside service will be held the morning of Friday, June 2 at Hollywood Cemetery, both in Richmond, Virginia.

Those desiring may make memorial contributions to MD Anderson Cancer Center to fight Leukemia or the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.

Friends and family may sign the guestbook online at www. piercejeffersonfh.com