Jennie S. Goicoechea

December 23, 1917 - April 16, 2017

Jennie Sarrica Goicoechea, 99, a resident of Cape Coral, FL since 1980, formerly of Washington, D.C., passed away Sunday, April 16, 2017 in Cape Coral. Born December 23, 1917 on a farm in Defiance, OH to William and Alva Mahan, now deceased.

Jennie graduated Valedictorian class of 1936 and went on to work her way through college as a waitress. Her formal education began at Benjamin Franklin University, Washington DC, where she received accounting credits. From there she entered Law school at Southeastern University, Washington DC, graduating with a degree of Juris Doctor in June of 1942. She completed several courses at the American University for Public Speaking & Video Presentation. She graduated Judges College from the University of Nevada, Reno Nevada where she also served as a Faculty Advisor.

Her professional associations where she held various positions in some were the Federal Administrative Law Judges Conference, American Bar Association, D.C. Bar Association, Women’s Bar Association, Executive Women in Government, and the Federal Bar Association.

Jennie began the practice of law in both DC and the Federal Courts in 1942, specializing in Administrative Law. Her legal career included work in private practice and the Federal Government, gaining specialty in Labor Law, especially the area involving prosecution for violations of Federal Labor Law. She was appointed Administrative Law Judge for the Federal Government in January of 1970 and served in that position until she retired in 1981.

Jennie found Divine Science at the Church of the Healing Christ and entered study of courses beginning in 1967. She was a practitioner, a teacher, discussion leader and finally obtained the prestigious position of Ordained Minister in 1981. She served on the Board of Trustees for over a decade.

Many awards, commendations, and recognition were presented to Jennie over the years most notably her Certificate of Service Recognition from the National Labor Relations Board for her 35 years of service and becoming a Life Member of the Divine Science Federation International.

Upon retiring she moved to Cape Coral, Florida where she continued to serve her community. She joined Toastmasters in the early 90’s and in her time there served as Secretary and then President. In her 70’s she took up dancing and won the Latin Ballroom Dance Championship in 1994. In 1997 she obtained her Real Estate license where she worked closely with her nephew Robert Mahan.

In 1995 Jennie continued her spiritual path attending Unity of Fort Myers from that time until the present. During her time there she became a Chaplin and then taught others to become Unity Chaplin’s. She became a member of the Board of Directors and was President of the Board in 2005. She brought great wisdom, understanding and clarity to all the rolls of leadership as she served.
She is survived by three loving nephews, Robert Mahan and his wife Connie of Cape Coral, William Mahan and his wife Jo Anna of Baltimore, MD, and John “Bart” Mahan and his wife Emily of North Fort Myers, FL; as well as her sister, Opal May of OH; along with many great nieces and nephews.

Jennie is preceded in death by her first husband, Benny Sarrica and second husband, Leo Goicoechea; as well as three siblings, John Henry Mahan, Loretta Rivera, and Ethel May.

Please join us for Jennie’s Celebration of Life at 11:00 Am on Saturday, April 29, 2017, at Unity of Fort Myers, 11120 Ranchette Road Fort Myers, FL 33966.

In lieu of flowers, love offerings in memory of Jennie Goicoechea are suggested to Unity of Fort Myers.

Friends are invited to send condolences via the on-line guest book which can be found at www.MullinsMemorial.com.

Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cape Coral, is entrusted with final care.

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