Shara Marie Goff

Shara M. Goff of La Vista, NE, passed away on September 8, 2022.  Shara was born in Duluth, MN to Darrel “Bill” and Marie Goff but spent most of her life in La Vista, NE. Shara graduated from Gross High School, and from The University of Nebraska, Omaha.  Shara had a passion for helping others during her lifetime.  Shara was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis at the age of 8. She would later appear on Children’s Miracle Network local and national telethons in the 1980s and early 1990s.

Her passion became volunteerism and advocacy, spending her lifetime raising awareness and funds for many organizations. She served on the board of the Food Bank for the Heartland for 13 years, working to bring the Celebrity Chef event to life and raising millions through this event. She enjoyed supporting the Ronald McDonald House’s Wings & Wheels events for the past six years. Most notably she served in volunteer and ambassador roles for the local and national Arthritis Foundation for more than 30 years.

Shara joined Baker’s Supermarkets marketing department in 1996 after graduating from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. She began her communications career responding to consumer affairs inquiries, administering corporate contributions, and writing news releases. In her time at Baker’s, she made many life-long friends and advanced to become Corporate Communications and Consumer Affairs Manager. Notably, she led the communication efforts when Fleming Foods sold the supermarket chain to Kroger Supermarkets in 2000.

She later joined Nextel-Sprint Communications and worked as a regional area manager for seven years. She executed integrated marketing campaigns throughout the Midwest, including VIP Green Bay Packers and NASCAR race promotions. She took great pride in the organization’s support of veterans and planned galas and events throughout the Midwest in that role.

Shara was diagnosed with aplastic anemia 11 years ago and sought care at UNMC. While she fought for her life, she sought to work with UNMC’s marketing and communications department to help them tell her story of the remarkable healthcare she was receiving. She was extraordinarily open about her health and treatment, and always wanted others to learn from her experiences.

Shara had a love of the outdoors, her family, and her large extended family from Minnesota and other states.   Shara knew that each day was gift even though she spent most of her life in pain.  She was the most positive person you could meet, and always saw the good in everyone.  Her smile will live on in the hearts of everyone she has touched over the last 50 years.

Shara is preceded in death by Brad (brother) and Darrel William (father). Shara is survived by her mother, Marie Goff (Terry Watson); brothers Richard (Jeanette) and Daniel (Nanette); sister Kayleen Casey (Bill); niece Campbell; nephews Bradley (Samantha), Thomas, Connor, Riley, and Parker; great-niece Shelby; great-nephews Severide, Casey, and Roman.

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