Elaine Goes

Elaine Goes, age 85 of The Masonic Village in Burlington, NJ, formerly of Willingboro, NJ, died January 8, 2024, at Samaritan Hospice in Mt. Holly. Her last several years were a physical and mental struggle from which she is now free.

Elaine Germuska was born in Jersey City, New Jersey to Henry and Margaret Germuska. Raised in Bernardsville, NJ, she graduated from Bernard's High School in 1955. It was there she met her future husband, Chris Goes. She briefly attended Drexel University in Philadelphia. Chris and Elaine were married on September 14, 1957, in Bernardsville.

Together they had three children, Sharon, Chris (Jr.) and Susan. In 1965, they opened Goes Funeral Home in Willingboro, NJ. Elaine was a Homemaker, the business manager/bookkeeper and business partner until 1996 when they sold the business. Throughout those years, she and Chris enjoyed a rich social life with lots of friends and gatherings.

Shortly after selling the business, they divorced.

Elaine could not pass up a good dessert; in fact, she could make an entire dinner out of dessert. She enjoyed socializing with friends and dining out. She liked to shop for clothes. There were special (old) family recipes she liked to make; such dishes as Hungarian Cucumber Salad, Cheesecake dessert (again, the dessert) and a certain iceberg lettuce salad that her son is still trying to recreate.

Elaine has lived at the Masonic Village for the past 10+ years. She enjoyed singing in the Choir during church services and playing the bells in the bell choir.

Elaine is survived by her three children, Sharon (and Steve) Kroon of Egg Harbor, NJ, Chris (and Stephanie) Goes of Fort Collins, CO and Susie (and Mike) Mansdoerfer of Lumberton, NJ; seven Grandchildren, Paul Kroon, Brian Goes, Mike Mansdoerfer, David Kroon, Dan Goes, Mark Mansdoerfer and Devin Goes; and eight great-grandchildren.

A private service will be held at. St. Bernards Cemetery, in Bernardsville, NJ.