Catherine Goff Fitch, 67, of Dover, passed away on Monday, August 29th, at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, surrounded by her family. Born in Hanover, New Hampshire and raised in Houston, Texas, she was the daughter of the late Gertrude (Mertens) and Allston Goff, and the sister of Jen Goodspeed, Lisa Pajolek (and her husband, Michael), and Robert Goff. Over the course of her life, Catherine called many places home, but special pieces of her heart always belonged in Woodstock, Vermont and on Martha’s Vineyard, standing in the sun and looking out over the ocean. 

Catherine loved people. She is survived by many treasured friends and family, including an abundance of cousins, nieces, and nephews. A reader, an artist, a teacher, a birdwatcher, a philanthropist, and a mediator, each and every one of Catherine’s pursuits was an opportunity to connect with people. For many years, Catherine endured significant health complications with unmatched grace—all for the opportunity to share a poem with a dear friend, make a drawing with her grandchildren, report on birds she spotted at the feeder, support causes to improve the lives of others, or wrap her arms around a loved one.

As part of her philanthropy and efforts to help others, Catherine took inspiration from her own experiences as a patient and generously supported research and other large-scale efforts at both the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women’s Hospital to improve the care of and experience of patients. The impact of her giving has and will continue to be felt by countless families, and will offer a light and warmth, during the most difficult times, that only Catherine could provide. 

Catherine’s biggest legacy and proudest role was that of matriarch in a large, close-knit family. She gave all of herself to her greatest loves: her five children and eight grandchildren. Catherine’s children—Emily Fitch and her partner, Kyle; Amber Ream and her husband, Devin; Haley Barraza and her husband, Ricardo (all of Holliston, Massachusetts); Benjamin Fitch of Los Angeles; and Noah Fitch and his wife, Sophia, of Holliston—will keep her spirit always present through competitive rounds of backgammon, oysters on the half-shell, boat rides on the Vineyard, sunflowers, lemons, the color purple, and never-ending enthusiasm for the birds and chipmunks in the backyard. She is also survived by her eight grandchildren: Winnie, Jack, Barrett, Sydney, Miguel, Emilio, Camila, and River, who will hold their “Mum” close in their hearts, always. 

A celebration of life will be announced soon. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Adult Survivorship Program at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. https://danafarber.jimmyfund.org/site/TR;jsessionid=00000000.app20117a?team_id=6881&fr_id=1200&pg=team&NONCE_TOKEN=60B6A263EBB22ADBC53FCB6456805A76

Arrangements are under the care of the Chesmore Funeral Home in Holliston, www.ChesmoreFuneralHome.com