Mary Louise Goyette

Mary Louise “Lou” Atwood Goyette      April 16, 1948 - October 20, 2026                                                                                                                                                                         

Lou Goyette passed away on October 20, 2026, after a long battle with Parkinson's disease. She was predeceased by her husband, Joseph (1982), and her parents, Raymond (2002) and Mary (Notro) Atwood (2009).  Mary Lou grew up in Hoosick Falls, New York, and attended St. Mary's, where her strong Catholic faith was instilled at an early age. She went to nursing school and started her career. Lou spent years working as a nurse, possessing an intuition and an ability to care for others that anyone in need of medical attention could only hope to encounter. She was eventually recruited to run a local private laboratory, where her skills and reputation as a gentle, knowledgeable phlebotomist followed her through buyouts and takeovers.

Anyone who knew Lou knew she was a force in both her personal and professional life. She was matter-of-fact, and never hesitated to speak her mind, but beneath that strong exterior was a heart of gold. She would tell you she was "Nurse Ratched" in pediatrics and CPS-ICU standing up to surgeons (who showed tremendous respect for her) to advocate for her patients, but a sweet and gentle soul when caring for those in need, especially children.

Lou was a fighter despite the odds and the challenges she faced. She built a career, and made a home for her family. Even after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, she persevered, continuing to work even in retirement.  In addition to being a nurse, mother, grandmother, sister, and amazing friend, Mary Lou found time for the many things she loved. She adored her animals; Sammy and Tigger, her books, her music, her birds, her baseball (go Yankees!), and she loved a great glass of wine. In retirement, she found joy volunteering for the local soup kitchen. She also worked briefly at the former Colonie Community Center after-school program where she enjoyed taking care of kids in a different capacity. Through every chapter of her life, her deep and abiding faith remained a source of strength and comfort, sustaining her until the end. 

In her wake, Lou leaves behind her brother, Raymond Atwood; her five children, Theresa (Paul) Hansen, Rachel Goyette (Don Brundige), Julie Goyette, Joe (Jennifer) Goyette, and Sarah Goyette. She has 16 grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Also loving Lou for more than 50 years are her fiercely loyal friends, Linda Dunn and Deb Semple. Her strength, devotion, love, and unwavering determination helped build a legacy that will live on through the generations she leaves behind.

Lou will be remembered for her strength, her honesty, her compassion, her faith, and the enormous heart she carried beneath her no-nonsense exterior. She was a fighter, a caregiver, and a force of nature-and she will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. 

Family and friends are invited and may call at 1:00 pm Saturday, November 7 at Immaculate Conception Church 73 Main Street, Hoosick Falls.  A Christian Mass to follow immediately at 1:30 pm. To honor the memory of Lou Goyette, the family asks for donations in lieu of flowers or gifts to be made to the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society, Shaker Place Rehabilitation and Nursing Center or to the Michael J Fox foundation for Parkinson’s research.