Melinda M. (Mohan) Goss

Melinda Mary Goss passed away in her sleep on Monday, March 31, at North Country Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Massena, where she had been a resident for a little over a year.

Melinda was born on April 19, 1945 in Philadelphia, PA, and, since her father was a high-ranking Naval officer, she liked to say that she grew up "all over the place." She attended St. Agnes Episcopal School for girls in Alexandria, VA, and she later graduated from Hobart and William Smith College in Geneva, NY, with a major in Classics. She remained a voracious reader to the end; in fact, late in life she revived her youthful interest in Latin by reading Ovid's Metamorphoses in the original.

Melinda often quipped that when it came to jobs, "You name it, I probably did it." Most notably, she worked at bookstores (where she was adept at suggesting appropriate reading material for inquisitive, but undecided customers), at several florist shops (she always had bouquets of flowers wherever she was living), at a toy shop, and as a tutor. After moving to Ogdensburg, NY, in the early 2000s she worked as Assistant Manager of the St. Lawrence University Brewer Bookstore until her retirement. She is remembered there as a congenial and knowledgeable colleague.

Melinda was preceded in death by her parents, Richard Lawrence Mohan and Georgeanne Hjul. She was also predeceased by her beloved husband of over fifty years, Frederick D. Goss, III in 2023. She is survived by their daughter, Meredith Goss of Morristown, NY.

Her friends remember her with affection, as a gracious hostess and superb cook, especially renowned for her banquets at Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving. She could also entertain a crowd on short notice. Friends in Alexandria, VA where she and Fred lived for years, credit her with keeping their circle in close touch from college days into the 21st century.

Melinda was famous—almost notorious—for her love of animals. The Goss household never lacked for cats and dogs!

Melinda was also, and above all, a loving mother of Meredith, the Goss's disabled daughter (known as "Merry").  She was a tireless defender of Merry's rights and well-being and made herself a knowledgeable advocate for her special needs. She and Fred, moved from their home in Virginia to Ogdensburg so that Merry could benefit from the superior services available to disabled citizens in New York State. Thanks to Melinda and Fred's devotion, the skill of her therapists, and her own innate intelligence and determination, Meredith learned to read and to communicate intelligibly.  Despite her challenges, she is civically engaged—voting regularly, and knowledgeably in political elections.  As an expression of her autonomy, she occasionally disagreed with her mother in casting her vote.

Merry's political awareness was no doubt also stimulated by her father, whom she also loved dearly. Fred had worked in Washington as a lobbyist for a non-profit public interest group.  "I only worked for the good guys," he would explain later to friends leery of lobbying in general.

It was her advocacy for the rights of the disabled that initially led Melinda to be invited to speak to the League of Women Voters of Alexandria, about the then newly enacted Americans with Disabilities Act. So impressed were the League members, they immediately invited her to join. After the Gosses moved to the North Country, Melinda joined the LWV of St. Lawrence County and served as its treasurer for several years.

Arrangements are under the care of the O'Leary Funeral Home, and memories and condolences can be shared on their website:

Please consider making donations in Melinda's memory to the St. Lawrence Valley SPCA; Disability Rights, NY; or the League of Women Voters (National, NYS or SLC).

Memories and condolences may be shared on Melinda's memorial page at www.olearyfuneralservice.com. Arrangements for Melinda M. Goss are under the care of the O'Leary Funeral Service of Canton.