Hall of Fame

Mary Margaret Goff
Bishop Toolen Class of '44

Mary Margaret Goff, “Peggy,” as she is fondly called, was born on September 21, 1926--the feast of St. Matthew--the oldest of 15 children of Martha Ellen Mitchell and Michael Joseph Goff, McGill Institute '19, who graduated at the age of 16 as valedictorian of his class. Peggy began her Catholic education at St. Mary's and continued at Bishop Toolen Catholic High School for Girls. After graduation in 1944, she attended Webster Catholic College for Girls in St. Louis, MO, on an academic scholarship. She graduated in 1948, cum laude, with a bachelor's degree in chemistry. She earned her teaching certification from the University of Alabama and a master's in education from the University of South Alabama.

Upon her graduation from college, Peggy returned to her alma mater where she remained for forty-six years. During her years at BTH, she served in many roles: teacher, coach, assistant principal and counselor. Originally hired to teach physical education, she taught a variety of subjects including physical science, chemistry, English, math and Alabama history. She served as the science department chairman and moderator of the senior class and the National Honor Society. In 1974, When Bishop Toolen and McGill Institute merged, Peggy continued her service to McGill-Toolen as director of human development, assistant principal for discipline and director of classroom instruction. The Bishop Toolen auditorium was named in her honor when she retired in June 1994.

Peggy Goff's life of service extends well beyond the campus boundaries. According to Reverend Kenneth J. Klepac, pastor of St. Joan of Arc Church, Peggy attended daily Mass and Communion, was “always generous with her time and support of this parish and Catholic Charities…was a special minister of the Eucharist and lector at Mass…for years she helped clean the church every week.”

Although Peggy was the first of her siblings to attend Catholic schools, she was not the last. Helping to provide a good Catholic education for her younger brothers and sisters is another facet of her faith-filled life. She continued to do this for the next two generations of her family. The members of her immediate family who attended Bishop Toolen are: Dorothy G. Taylor '49; Katherine G. Johnson '52; Elizabeth G. Wampler '57; Patricia G. Wilcox '61; Rosalie G. Harbar '63; Judith G. Courtney '64; Joan G. Rolison '67; and Marilyn G. Courtney '69. The McGillians are: William E. Goff Sr. '48; Lawrence V. Goff '60; Thomas A. Goff Sr.; Charles R. Goff Sr. '67; and Mitchell J. Goff '70. The next generation were her nieces and nephews: Debbie G. Palmer '72; Donna G. Mills '75; Sherry G. Bruemmer '80; Sondra G. Goff '83; Larry Goff Jr. '86; Joey Goff '88; Patrick Goff '94; Sarah Goff '96; Mike Richardson '75; Steve Richardson '77; Larry Richardson '77; Mark Richardson '81; Ellen Richardson '89; Mitchell Goff Jr. '91; Kasey Courtney Crawford '91; Ellis Courtney '95; Robin Rolison '92; Ricky Courtney '85; Kelley Courtney Lamont '88; Billy Courtney '89; Kim Courtney Langham '94; Jason Courtney '96; Ashley Courtney '04; Ginny Goff Pritchard '77; Tommy Goff Jr. '78; and Cindy Goff Griffin '80. The generations continue with her great nieces and nephews: Marla Mills Billante '97; Kyle Morris '09; Alex Taylor '10; Carley Goff '12; and Blake Lamont '10.

Inducted 2008
Biography updated 10/3/08

Hall of Fame

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