Mary-Margaret "Meg" (Hammer) Goodwin

Mary-Margaret “Meg” Goodwin, 62, of Stoughton, passed away on July 10, 2026, after courageously battling metastatic cancer for several years. Born on May 12, 1964, in Washington, DC, Meg grew up in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and New York, as the oldest of 5 siblings. She played in the band throughout high school and college, and thoroughly enjoyed live music. She moved to Boston to start college in 1982, and loved it so much, she made it her home. During that time, she waitressed part-time at Boston’s famous Union Oyster House to help pay for college and made life-long friends in the process. 

Meg graduated from UMass Boston, and embarked on a lifelong vocation teaching at the elementary and middle school levels. She taught in the Boston Public Schools for almost 30 years, and took immense interest and pride in the achievements of her students. Serving as the union representative for her school, Meg was a fierce advocate for her fellow educators, as well as for any issue that could negatively impact her students.

While Meg’s love of children brought her to education, being a mother was what gave her the most joy. She truly lived for her children, Caitie, Ryan and Allison, and there was nothing she wouldn’t do for them. Whether it was dance, cheer, band, or sporting events, Meg was there supporting her kids. She loved taking them to her favorite places in Boston, including the New England Aquarium, the Museum of Science, the Commons and the Garden, and seeing concerts; she simply embraced the city and all it has to offer.

She had a tremendous sense of adventure and loved to travel, visiting several European countries, Morocco, the Canary Islands, Barbados, and over half of the United States. She loved spending time with her loved ones by the water, whether that was at the Newport beaches or by the pool in her very own backyard. If there was a beach storefront or ocean view close by, you could bet Meg knew about it.

Although she was small in stature, Meg was a large presence. She perfectly captured herself in her high school yearbook quote- “It is better to be small and shine than to be large and cast a shadow,” and shine she did. She was incredibly generous, loyal, welcoming, inquisitive, and a champion for those who needed a voice.

Meg is survived by her children, Caitlin, Ryan, and Allison Goodwin, her parents, Donald and Linda Hammer of Newport, RI, her siblings, Anne Mills of Newport, Peter (Diana) Hammer of Needham, Jennifer McGee of Hilton Head, SC and Annapolis, MD and Julie (Jonathan) Phillips of Virginia Beach, VA. She is also survived by her nieces and nephews, Colleen McGee, John (Corinne) Walsh, Mitch (Bailey) McGee, Bridget (Kevin) Conway, Emily Walsh, Max Hammer, Jane Philipps, Greta Hammer, Jackson Phillips, and Laura Hammer. Additionally, Meg leaves behind countless lifelong friends whose lives were enriched by her compassion, generosity, laughter, and steadfast friendship.

Visiting Hours will be held from the Farley Funeral Home, 358 Park St. (Rt. 27) Stoughton on Thursday, July 16 from 4-7 PM. Funeral will be held from the funeral home on Friday, July 17 at 10 AM followed by a Funeral Mass at Immaculate Conception Church, Stoughton at 11 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in support of her children to the Goodwin Family Trust, PO Box 920036, Needham, MA, 02492.