Mary Josephine "Joann" Gootee, age 69 of Loretto, passed away Wednesday, October 11, 2023, at her home, surrounded by her loving family.  She was born December 22, 1953, in New Haven.  She was a retired employee of Spring View Hospital where she worked in the dietary department for 42 ½ years.  She enjoyed fishing, cooking and entertaining.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph Truston and Mary Elsie Ruley Nalley; two brothers, Philip and Tommy Nalley; three infant siblings, David, Mary Ann and John Herbert Nalley.

Survivors include her husband of 45 years, Frank Gootee; two sons, Michael Gootee of Loretto and Jamie Gootee (Johanna) of Cynthiana; one granddaughter, Emily Jo Gootee; four sisters, Mary Cecil (Bobby) of Bardstown, Linda Cecil (Louis) of New Hope, Carolyn Gootee of Lexington and Jenny Spannknebel of Louisville; four brothers, Leo Nalley (Frankie) and Joe "Tic" Nalley (Ellen) all of Loretto, Charles Nalley (Judy) of Lebanon and Tim Nalley of Bardstown; 27 nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 am Saturday, October 14, 2023, at Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 6785 Highway 52, Loretto.  Rev. David W. Naylor will officiate.  Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

The visitation is 3-8 pm Friday at Mattingly Funeral Home with a prayer service at 7 pm by Deacon Donald Coulter.  The prayer service and funeral will be livestreamed onto the Mattingly Funeral Home Facebook page.