The Duchess of Noank Still Alive And Well In Our Memories

In the budding days of Groton’s history to the present, we have seen many heroines shape the landscape of life here.  From the patriotism of Abby Day Slocum and Mother Bailey to the research and historical contributions of Eva Butler and Carol Kimball, the bounties are endless. But none have had the character and moxie of Noank Notes author Mary Virginia Goodman.

The late Carol Kimball described Goodman as, ”A rugged individualist with tremendous presence, possessed of a tremendous sense of humor.”

The lifelong Groton resident, Daughters of the American Revolution member and teacher was considered in her day by Evergreen Review to be the “Grand dame of Groton who once ran a private school and was noted for her large floral hats and florid opinions on diverse matters.”

Throughout her childhood, she preferred nesting beside her grandfather, town clerk Nelson Morgan.  Goodman admitted as a child running the opposite direction and hiding in the barn when doll loving playmates sought her out.  She much preferred the company of older folks, and hearing the rich stories filtering through the clerk’s office.  She found that if she sat quietly with a book in hand, she would be allowed to sit and absorb the town’s stories for hours on end.               

Born Mary Virginia Morgan in 1897 to a family of five, Goodman was in the graduating class of 1916 at the Williams School, then called Williams Memorial Institute. She later objected to the name change. When asked if she went to Williams School, she said, ”I never went to any such school.  No! Williams Memorial Institute I went to.” 

Travelling by Groton Ferry to attend Williams, Goodman continued the commute through her subsequent attendance at Connecticut College.

She acted on stage and was discovered during a performance of Taming of the Shrew by well-known New York actress Beatrice Mansfield.  When asked if she wanted to relocate to New York as Miss Mansfield’s protégé, the religious Goodman felt theater made for an inappropriate vocation and declined the offer.

It’s been written on many occasions that Goodman looked down upon the women’s liberation movement but was liberally-minded and was ruled by no man.  She disliked pantsuits and in her opinion they were not a garment women should dare consider.  Hats, on the other hand, were one of life’s pleasures not to be missed.

“I never walk to the post office without a head dress,” exclaimed Goodman.

Goodman spent a great many years as a teacher working at Groton Heights Grammar School, Noank Elementary School and Fitch.  Subsequently, she became administrator and teacher at Mary Morgan School, where she ran a tight ship.  She was a small woman with an affinity for autocratic phrases such as, “One more crack out of you that I don’t like, I myself personally will throw you out the east window,” and a misbehaved boy could become “a memory in his family history” if he didn’t shape up.

At age 54, Goodman experienced her first trip to Europe in 1951, traveling by ocean liner which, according to her, was the only way to travel.  She wore her green velvet Leghorn hat purchased in Europe for such an occasion.  Feeling royal, she introduced herself amusingly as the “Duchess of Noank” to her cab driver while approaching Edinburg Castle. 

Among her achievements were co-founding the Indian and Colonial Research Center, founding Noank Historical Society and serving as a board member for the Groton Library.  She put together a compilation of works called Noank Notes which can be found at local libraries.  Although technically Noank didn’t have a town historian, if it had, Goodman would have added that to her wall of accomplishments.

Over the years, Goodman, a three time widow, was a well celebrated woman with sizable birthday parties thrown in her later years.  She died in the spring of 1988 at age 90, and even though she gave up the stage, she never gave up directing her life as she saw fit.