Roseline Goodman Obituary

Description: Roseline Goodman Obituary... Our Heartfelt Condolences To Her Loved Ones...

Obituary

Roseline Aruputhanathan Goodman, 72, of Manzanola passed away on April 4, 2023. Roseline was born on July 20, 1950 on the beautiful island of Penang, Malaysia. In her childhood, Roseline was an adorable, inquisitive, and fiercely independent young girl. At the age of 5, she attended Convent Light Street Girls School, the oldest Catholic girls school in Penang, Malaysia. Roseline was a woman of many firsts throughout her life: she was the first girl born in a family of six; the first of her family to complete and graduate from Catholic school; one of the first women to enlist in the Royal Malaysian Navy, training 200 other Navy recruits during her 9 years of service because of her natural leadership abilities; and the first woman in her family to travel out of her home country to Australia before making Colorado, USA her permanent home. When she competed in kite competitions or bike races against the boys of the town as a child, she always placed first.

Roseline was a lifelong learner who deeply valued the power of education. She pursued her associate’s degree at Otero College in La Junta. While a student at OC, she tutored students in the GED program and assisted international students in acquiring English language skills. Roseline also served as a photojournalist for the Otero campus, documenting the Otero Rattler College experience. After graduation, she continued her education at Colorado State University-Pueblo where she obtained her bachelor’s degree in social work, making her the first in her family to attend and graduate from college.

Roseline met and fell in love with Sidney Goodman through a pen pal writing program. Sidney, intrigued by Roseline’s wit, personality, and beauty, traveled to Malaysia to meet his future bride. They married on April 12, 1982 and built their life together in Manzanola until his passing on April 20, 2003. Together, they had a daughter, Marylynn Goodman.

One of Roseline’s core values was family. She was the first and only of her family to bring her mother, Nambekai Mary, from Malaysia to Colorado. She introduced her mother to the wonders of the United States through a memorable roadtrip from Colorado to Las Vegas, Nevada to California. Throughout this adventure, Nambekai Mary gambled in Las Vegas, experienced the magical world of Disneyland, and had the pleasure of watching her daughter receive her bachelor’s degree from college. For the rest of Roseline’s life, she had always considered this one of the greatest honors and accomplishments.

From 1991 to 2001, Roseline worked at the La Junta Wal-Mart, creating such a memorable impression with her coworkers and customers. They did not remember her because of her work in the photography lab and garden center; they loved and remembered her because of her compassion, exuberance, humor, and unique ability to make any work and shopping experience fun. While working at Wal-Mart, she was a substitute teacher at many Otero County school districts and a full-time student attending CSU-Pueblo to obtain her bachelor’s degree. Despite the many hats she wore, she always made time to raise and love her daughter, never complained, and effortlessly managed her responsibilities with style and grace.

In 2001, Roseline began her career as an English Language Arts teacher at Jefferson Middle School in Rocky Ford, Colorado; she later transitioned to Social Studies in 2003. During her time in the Rocky Ford School District, she impacted the lives of countless Meloneers. She is fondly remembered as a no-nonsense teacher and a powerful storyteller who brought the world to her classroom, exposed her learners to many cultures and new perspectives, sparked a lifelong passion for social studies for many, and never gave up on her students no matter the circumstances.

She will be missed greatly by friends who knew her as Roz or Roseline, students who knew her as Mrs. Goodman, and a daughter who proudly called her Mom and “Gorgeous.” Roseline had the biggest heart, laugh, and smile. She had a commanding presence and a voice that made people sit up and listen. As anyone that knew Roseline could tell you, she had a story for every situation. Roseline was a strong force that never turned away from any challenge. No matter how turbulent the waves, she sailed with confidence and determination. She is now sailing on a journey to shores we cannot see. We know that she is free from pain and is watching the waves of the crystal-clear, turquoise waters of Malaysia.

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