Brittney Leigh Goodman
January 19, 1967 ~ March 8, 2023
Born in:
Hardinsburg, Kentucky
Resided in:
Fargo, North Dakota
Brittney Leigh Goodman, 56, of Fargo, N.D. passed away unexpectedly at her home on March 8, 2023.
Brittney was born January 19, 1967 to Ruth Wilson Pollock and Donald Ray Goodman in Hardinsburg, KY. She graduated from Breckinridge County High School in 1985 and went on to attend Kentucky Wesleyan College, graduating Summa Cum Laude. She attended graduate school at Western Illinois University where she studied English literature and composition. She received a graduate degree in library and information science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 1996.
In 1997, Brittney joined Minnesota State University Moorhead as a librarian. She went on to serve many roles at the college, including professor, Dean of Instructional Resources, Executive Director of the Livingston Lord Library, and her current role as Director of the Faculty and Professional Learning Center.
In addition to her duties at MSUM, Brittney was involved in numerous activities in the Fargo-Moorhead area. As a lover of movies, since 2008 she served as a volunteer and organizer of the annual Fargo Film Festival. She used her natural leadership skills as a festival co-chair and chairperson of many film submission review and selection juries. In 2016, she received the prestigious Margie Bailly Volunteer Spirit Award for her many contributions to the festival. She helped organize the annual St. Patrick’s Parade in Fargo, as well as SantaCon, a holiday-themed charity event. As a proud Kentucky native, she hosted a Kentucky Derby Party each May, making it memorable by unveiling the new Spotify playlist she created each year, and by leading her guests in singing “My Old Kentucky Home.” Whether in downtown Fargo, her beloved home base, or anywhere she traveled, Brittney was always approachable, kind and inclusive. She was a natural connector who took great joy in drawing out the unique stories of everyone she met. This made Brittney a valued long-time contributor to the High Plains Reader, a weekly Fargo-based alternative newspaper. For her countless friends, Brittney’s passing leaves a void that can never be replaced. But they all are better for having known her and will cherish her memory and carry on her infectious spirit throughout their lives.
She is survived by her brothers Jason Goodman and Chris Goodman; stepfather Carl Pollock; step-brother Todd Pollock; step-sister Tracey Kasey; aunt Becky Taul; uncles John Taul and Gene David Shrewsbury; niece Kelsie Haynes; nephew Ronin Goodman; great-niece June Miller Lashbrook; and cousins Carol Galloway, Shannon Hawkins, Brian Miller, Jackie Robbins, Chad Taul, Jay Taul, other cousins and her large array of friends, who all loved her dearly.
She is preceded in death by her grandparents, parents, an aunt, an uncle and her cat, Clancey.
A memorial service will be held at Minnesota State University Moorhead in the Dille Center for the Arts Hansen Theater on Thursday, March 30, 2023, at 2:00 p.m.
Services
Memorial Service - Thursday: March 30, 2023 2:00 pm
Dille Center for the Arts Hansen Theatre
801 13th St S
Moorhead, MN 56560
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Brittney was more than anyone could ask for in a colleague. Always so positive and helpful! My deepest condolences to her family and many dear friends.
I first met Brittney Goodman twenty-some odd years ago when she was a fresh Fargo transplant. We met at my favorite dive bar downtown-the Empire Tavern where I was a regular at the time when we were introduced by our mutual friend, Veronica Michael.
I remember being immediately struck by her warmth and ever charming southern accent. Brittney displayed her great intellect in a non-assuming and genuine way and I found her easy to talk to,
regardless of the seriousness or levity of the conversation. Her laugh was memorable and infectious and we quickly became friends. Brittney was great at meeting new people and making new friends and over the years I met many people through her who remain friends to this day. I also have to thank her for helping me develop a profound appreciation for Kentucky bourbon and the bits of southern culture she brought to Fargo. I never had the opportunity to interact with her on a professional level, but I know the qualities in her which I appreciated were beneficial in her successful career in academia. I have no doubt that she touched many people throughout her time at MSUM.
Brittney’s parties were legendary. The Halloween parties and her “Infamous Celebrities” party stand out as some of the best events I can remember. She had a knack for collecting groups of interesting and colorful people and I remember having so much fun that the inevitable hangover seemed like a small price to pay. Her Kentucky Derby parties were her way of introducing elements of the home of her birth to a new audience in Fargo. It seemed like the party got bigger every year until it outgrew her home as a party venue. I also remember singing “My Old Kentucky Home” to her mother over the phone each year and lots of crazy hats. So many great memories…
An interesting note is that on Valentines Day 2002 I was sitting in a booth with Brittney and Veronica at the Empire when someone I had met but lost touch with happened upon us and joined us for drinks. We connected that evening and that woman, Jessie Rock, moved in with me the following year and we were married a few years later. I am happy to say that, 21 years later, we are still together-now with two beautiful children.
Being a parent changed my lifestyle dramatically and I am sorry to say that I have not seen Brittney in many years as I rarely have had the opportunity to visit my old haunts downtown. Despite that, I have so many fond memories of her and would have loved to see her again. We were invited and planning to go to the Derby party this year so this especially hurts. I know my story is not unique and many others feel the same loss we feel with her gone. She was involved with so many projects and events that she was able to make a real impact on the community and I know she will be sorely missed.
Thanks for everything, Brittney. We love you and wish you had more days with us all. You touched us and for that, we will always be grateful for knowing you.
Rest in Peace
Mike Armstrong
Brittney, You were the light in so many lives. You did many things in the Fargo Moorhead area and as a result, peoples lives were brightened through books, movies, conversation, friendship, and so many other reasons. I always felt I should find time to sit and visit with you, but I should have known the importance of taking that time. Thank you for the kindness you showed to me and for your smiles and nods when I saw you at the many events. You have been a real treasure to our community.
I’m so saddened and shocked I can’t create the words right now.. a huge loss for us all.
Britney was a real trooper and always helped out the VFW when she could. I GOT THE. MEAT SWEATS! She would know what it means Fridays at 5pm. We’ll miss that girl! Terry Richardson, past commander, Fargo VFW 89-90
We have been robbed of such an amazing person. Witty, fashionable, kind, knowledgeable, and approachable. It is hard to believe that she is gone. RIP Brittney
Rest in Peace Brittney
Brittney was an inspiration for so many people, including me. Her energy, her positivity, her zest for life: all of these are qualities that made her the light of any room she entered. Let her example continue to inspire all of us!
I first met Brittney as a student at MSUM (English/Philosophy), and then knew her has a resident in the Fargo-Moorhead arts/literary scene. She was wonderful, generous, and kind, and she contributed to the community a great deal. She’ll be missed greatly.
You will be missed!
May God Rest Your Soul in Peace.