Christine "Chris" Cook Goetz

Christine (Chris) Cook Goetz passed away peacefully on December 30, 2025, in Sacramento, California, surrounded by her children and son-in-law. Chris was born in Rockville Centre, New York, on June 8, 1960, the third of four siblings to Francis Patrick and Elizabeth Cook Wanamaker. She spent her childhood years between Georgia and Wisconsin, later raising her own children in Alpharetta, Georgia, and Pleasanton, California. In her final years, Chris made her home in Lodi, California.

The pride of Chris’ life were her four children: Kelly, Jamie, Clay, and Cole. She was their confidant and cheerleader, always providing a soft place to land. Chris was a devoted mother who made every occasion feel special and every holiday sparkle. Even after her children grew up, her ability to make holidays magical continued to delight her four grandchildren: Ryleigh, Delaney, Daphne, and Gunner.

She cherished sharing meals with friends, spending quality time with her grandkids, and traveling with her loved ones.

During high school, Chris worked at Mario’s Restaurant in Dunwoody, Georgia, where she met James Edward Goetz, the father of her children. She dedicated her children's early years to being a stay-at-home mom. As her children grew older, Chris re-entered the workforce, selling windows, shutters, and home remodeling projects. This led to her long-standing role as a Design Consultant for The Home Depot, where she became a top kitchen remodeling sales representative nationwide for several years. Chris was a living example that personal reinvention and success are possible at any stage of life.

Chris is survived by three of her children: Jamie Elizabeth Goetz, Clayton James Goetz, and Cole Patrick Goetz, as well as her son-in-law, Christopher Joanino. She leaves behind her grandchildren: Ryleigh Madison Joanino, Delaney Christine Goetz, Daphne Anne Joanino, and Gunner James Goetz. Her surviving siblings include Helen Wanamaker and Archie Wanamaker (and his wife Maxann Wanamaker), along with sister-in-law Maritza Wanamaker. Other surviving relatives include five nieces and nephews—Cristina Gaffey (and husband Sean), Archie Wanamaker II (and wife Elizabeth), Rebekah Coker, Zach Wanamaker (and wife Paige), and Graham Wanamaker—and five great nieces and nephews. Chris was preceded in death by her daughter, Kelly Jean Joanino, her brother, Francis Patrick Wanamaker, Jr., and her parents, Francis Patrick and Elizabeth Cook Wanamaker.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. at Woodbridge Country Club, 800 E Woodbridge Rd, Woodbridge, CA 95258. In lieu of flowers, donations in honor of Christine Cook Goetz may be made to the Colorectal Cancer Alliance at https://colorectalcancer.org/ or to the Human Rights Campaign at https://hrc.org/.