Donna K. Goolie, 86, of Bridgeport, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 15, 2026 at Harmony Assisted Living in Bridgeport.
She was born on March 19, 1939, in Parkersburg, the daughter of the late Justine and Carl King.
Donna shared 58 loving years of marriage with her devoted husband, Steven Goolie. She was a proud and loving mother to her daughter Carla Meredith, of Bridgeport. She was also the cherished grandmother of Mica Pierce and her spouse Rodney Pierce, of Bridgeport, and a proud great-grandmother to Garrett Cooper, of Morgantown, and Maverick Pierce, of Bridgeport.
Donna was a graduate of Washington-Irving High School. She continued her education at Marshall University, earning a degree in Latin and English, and later received her Masters degree in Latin from the University of North Carolina. Donna dedicated her professional life to education, inspiring generations of students with her love for language and classical learning. She taught Latin at Victory High School, Roosevelt-Wilson High School, Washington-Irving High School, and ultimately retired from Robert C. Byrd High School. Her enthusiasm for the Latin language and Roman culture left a lasting impression on the many students fortunate enough to sit in her classroom.
Beyond the classroom, Donna was deeply passionate about animals and devoted much of her time to volunteer work with the Harrison County Humane Society. She especially loved her cats and found great joy in caring for them.
Donna will be remembered for her intellect, kindness, and unwavering dedication to her students, family, and the causes she loved. Her legacy lives on through the many lives she4 touched as a teacher, mentor, and friend.
“Vita brevis, amor aeternus”
Love is brief, love is eternal.
Friends will be received at Burnside Funeral Home, 607 S. Virginia Avenue, Bridgeport, on Friday, March 20, 2026 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., where Catholic Burial Rites will be held at 12:30 p.m. with Father Walt Jagela presiding. Interment will follow at West Virginia National Cemetery.
Burnside Funeral Home, Bridgeport