Jody A. Goff

Jody Ann (Johnson) Goff, 76, passed away on January 9, 2026 at SwedishAmerican Hospital, Rockford, IL. Jody was born 1949 in Rockford to Howard and Barbara (McMarran) Johnson and graduated from Rockford East High School and Northern Illinois University, where she met her husband, Richard “Dick” Goff.

Jody enjoyed a long, successful career in communications as the United Way of Rock River Valley communications director, Friends of the Coronado executive director, Rockford Pro-Am Golf Tournament staff and owner of Goff Communications.

She is predeceased by her parents, husband, and brother Gary. Jody is survived by sister, Julee (John) Cranfill, St. Charles, Illinois; brother, Jeff Johnson (Debby Mellgren), Sun City West, Arizona; brother-in-law, Steve (Karen) Goff, Sterling, Illinois; nieces and nephews, Jamie Cranfill, John Cranfill III, Matt (Tanya) Johnson, Erikka (Jason) Walker, Shawn (fiancée Daisy), Tracey (Leroy) Goff, Amy (Daniel) Haban, Jason (Kristin) Goff and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews.

Jody served on many volunteer boards, including the YWCA of Rockford, Golden Apple Foundation, Rockford Area Arts Council, Association of Fundraising Professionals and more.

Both Jody and Dick were highly regarded as community leaders in the not-for-profit social-service world. They supported each other’s volunteer work, particularly for The Salvation Army of Winnebago County’s annual Food for the Needy Drive and the Paint-A-Thon which transformed homes for low-income people.

Special events was an area in which Jody excelled. As the Banquet Manager decades ago at both the Clock Tower Inn and later Hoffman House Restaurant, she had the gift of easily making sure that loose ends were pulled together with just the right touches. Her level-headed advice, accompanied by her sparkling eyes and great smile/laugh combination were sought after by many organizations.

Both Jody and her family extend their extreme gratitude to the following for their exceptional care over the years: Mayo Clinic Dr. Joseph A. Dearani; UWHealth Dr. Lee Wilke; Dr. Krishna Sankaran, Dr. Charlene Murdakes, Velisa Patel, APRN; Dr. Nicholas Whalen, Dr. Ian Goldberg, Dr. Jeremiah Pflederer, Dr. Nameer Mardini, their staff and the entire team of pharmacists at the Coumadin Clinic.

Funeral arrangements are being made by Fitzgerald Funeral Home. A Funeral Mass will be held 11:00 a.m., Monday, January 19, 2026 at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 1010 Ferguson St., Rockford. Visitation preceding from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.  Burial and funeral luncheon celebration immediately following. Memorials to honor Jody may be sent to any local philanthropic organization of choice, as Jody had many near and dear to her heart.