Mary Lynn Goudsward

Mary Lynn Goudsward, 51, of Pennsburg, PA, died on October 19 th, 2026, in St. Luke’s Hospital surrounded by her loving family. Born in York, PA, Mary was the daughter of the late Bernard Francis Richards and Pauline (Razawich) Richards.

Mary leaves behind her husband, Jeff Goudsward, who joined her in Holy Matrimony more than 32 years ago and devoted their lives to each other and their children. Together, they raised eight children: Kelsea Goudsward (fiancé Tyler Cohen), Dr. Hannah Goudsward (husband Edward Knab), Jacob Goudsward (wife Gabriella Goudsward), Katharine Goudsward, Samantha Goudsward, Erin Goudsward, Joshua Goudsward, and Bernadette Goudsward. There is nothing in this world that Mary was prouder of than her beautiful, smart, and talented children and would speak so lovingly of them all.

Mary was an avid reader, a prolific conversationalist, funny, articulate, and adventurous. She loved antiquing, the family’s annual camping trip to New Hampshire, a good dinner at Butcher and Barkeep and a quiet night at the Globe Inn with Jeff. She was kind in acts and demeanor, a sounding board for friends and strangers alike. She enjoyed life and made the lives of everyone she touched better. Mary was a devout Catholic and loved God with all her heart. She spread that love as a PREP teacher and as Director of Religious Education for St. Mary’s church in Schwenksville, where she and her family were parishioners for over 25 years. Mary often said that the children she taught at PREP were her second family, and she devoted herself to that vocation with all her heart.

As one of seven children herself, Mary also leaves behind four sisters: Michele Conway, Deborah Holt, Elizabeth Garpstas, and Siobhan Steele, her brother Bernard Richards III, and her loving mother, Pauline Richards. Mary is preceded in death by her father, Bernard Richards Jr. and brother, Joseph Richards. She was the aunt and great aunt to many nieces and nephews, who all loved their Aunt Mary very much. 

All are invited to a viewing on Monday, October 26, 2026, from 10:00-11:15am, located at Saint Mary Roman Catholic Church, 40 Spring Mount Rd, Schwenksville, PA 19473. A service will begin at 11:30am followed by burial at Pennsburg UCC Cemetery, 775 Main Street, Pennsburg, PA 18073. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Mary’s name to the St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry at St. Mary's Parish in Schwenksville, PA.