Barbara Lock Goodman, a retired high school teacher, died Feb. 9 after a long illness. She was 80. Born and raised in Harrisburg, Pa., she was the youngest of Mike and Anna Lock’s seven children. She met her husband, Leonard, at Penn State in a class of Greek
Literature in Translation. She distinguished herself in 1954 by studying five languages
simultaneously and graduated the following year with a degree in classical languages. In 1962, she received her M.A. in Latin from Catholic University. To fulfill the requirements of her degree, she analyzed the forms of the verbs in the works of the medieval author, Valerius Maximus.
Barbara Goodman taught Latin and Spanish at Robert E. Peary High School and
then at Magruder High School for almost 30 years.
In 1954 she married Leonard Saul Goodman and moved to the District in 1959 where they raised their two children, Dr. Evan Goodman and Dr. Anne Benjamin. After
retiring in 1987, Mrs. Goodman devoted her time to reading for the Washington Ear;
District politics; helping homebound friends, foreign travel with her husband; and to
revitalizing Ohev Sholom-The National Synagogue.
In addition to her husband and children, Barbara Goodman is survived by a brother, Jack Lock, a sister, Charlotte Hyams, five grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and many cousins, nephews, and nieces. She was buried in the Ohev Sholom Cemetery
in Southeast D.C. Memorial contributions may be made to Ohev Sholom-The National Synagogue.
Mrs. Goodman was hands down the most inspiring teacher I had in high school. She made Latin fun and fascinating, which is not easy to do. I occasionally have to read/translate Latin for my job and I always think of her when I do. Very sorry to hear of her passing.
I ran into Mrs. Goodman while shopping in Rockville about fourteen years ago. Even after all of these years, I recognized her. She was very surprised that I remembered her and as warm and genuine as my memories of her. When my father passed away in 1969, I received the loveliest note of condolence from her. I have never forgotten her kindness. I was never her student but came to her homeroom every day my first year at Peary. She was a very pleasant person and a welcoming presence each and every day. I think of her often and look for her when I shop. Today, I decided to look her up and found this notice. May her memories be a blessing to her family. With love, Sue Cruzan, Class of 1970, Robert E Peary HS
Mrs Goodman was my Spanish teacher at Magruder High School in the early 70’s and I think of her often. She was so earnest and dedicated and upbeat and incredibly talented. I am ashamed of the fact that I was too shy… and not mature enough to thank her when I was her student for her efforts. In reviewing the educators under whom I’ve studied, she was the best. Paul Michael Nathan, Annapolis, Maryland – March 17 2018.