Maria "Lina" Goy

Olean-Maria “Lina” Goy, a longtime Olean resident, passed away Saturday (December 26, 2020) at the Bradford Ecumenical Home, surrounded by her family via Skype and window visits due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Born October 7, 1931 in Jagstzell Germany, she was the daughter of the late Robert and Anna Neher Woerle.  

Lina’s uncle, Ferdinand Woerle was a Franciscan brother at St. Bonaventure, he got her a sponsor so she could immigrate to the United States, leaving Germany after World War, II.  She met and later married her husband, John Goy on January 31, 1953.  He predeceased her on April 13, 2019.

Lina worked at the former Olean Tile Co., and then for King’s Greenhouse. She was a parishioner at the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels and was one of the founding members of the ReHabilitation Center (now Intandem) so her son, John could be able to have an education.  She loved singing and Polka music.

Surviving are; three sons, Dr. Richard (Dr. Sarah Stevens) Goy of Bethlehem, PA., David M. (Kristie) Goy of Albuquerque, New Mexico and John R. Goy of Olean; two daughters, Mary Lu (Paul) Westerburg of Derrick City, PA, and Lisa (Joseph) Damato of Hudson, OH; nine grandchildren; Sara, Nicki, Eric, Lindsey, Rachel, Michael, Christina, Kaitlin, Santi, and three great-grandchildren, Weston, Cullen, and Cora.

She was predeceased by seven sisters, Martha, Rosa, Luzia, Imgard, Anna Maria, Zita, and Gertrud.

Family will receive friends on Thursday (January 7, 2021) from 4-6pm at the Guenther Funeral Home, Inc., 1303 E. State Street, Olean. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday (January 8, 2021) at 10am at the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels. Burial will follow in St. Bonaventure Cemetery.

Memorials if desired may be made to Intandem, 1439 Buffalo St. Olean or to the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, 202 S. Union Street, Olean.

Online condolences can be made at www.guentherfh.com.