MARY LOIS "Goode" EMDE, age 58, passed away on Monday, October 22, 2007. She was born on October 14, 1949, in Miami, Florida. When she was two years old, she moved to Houston with her parents, Sally and William Emde, and her brother, Tom, and she lived in Houston for the rest of her life.

Goode learned to swim at an early age and she became a member of the Dad's Club swimming team. She held several state records in the breaststroke and two or three national records. She loved swimming and she loved being with her teammates.

As an adult, she spent her entire career working in the mechanical contracting business, spending the largest part of her career working for the Emde Company, working with her father and her brothers. She liked her work and the people with whom she worked, she liked being part of the team.

Goode was very colorful and she had a great sense of humor which she used to keep people entertained. One of her strengths was that while she struggled with her health problems, she never lost her sense of humor. Even during her final stay in the hospital, the family found themselves laughing with her, due to her wit and great spirit. She will be sorely missed.

She is survived by her parents, William and Sally Emde, her brothers, Thomas Emde and Richard Emde and his wife, Christie Emde, her sister, Katy Emde, her 4 nieces, her two nephews, and her 9 great nieces and great nephews.

Services will be held at 11AM on Wednesday, October 31, in the old church at St. Martin's Episcopal Church, 717 Sage Road. A reception in Founders Hall will follow. The church cannot accommodate flowers and so, since Goody loved tigers, remembrances may be sent to Exotic Cat Refuge and Wildlife Orphanage, HC 3 Box 96-A, Kirbyville, Texas 75956, or to a charity of your choice.