Eleanore “Mickey” Goda Rock

The family of Eleanore “Mickey” Goda Rock sadly announce that their beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother passed away in her sleep peacefully on November 21, 2024 in Vero Beach, Fl.

Eleanore was predeceased by her parents, Michael P. Goda, Sr. and Helen Chyka Goda of Butler, PA, her brother, Michael P. Goda, Jr. of Butler, PA, and her husband Nicholas Rock of Vero Beach, FL. She is survived by her children, Dr. Rusti (Jerry) Berent of Rochester, NY, Robert Michael Hanson of Madrid, Spain, Nicholas (Pam) Rock of Binghamton, NY, Michelle Rock Falk of San Diego, CA, and seven grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

Eleanore, known by her family and friends as Mickey, was born in Detroit, Michigan. Her parents moved to Butler, PA in the late 1920’s to be closer to their extended families in the Pittsburgh area. She graduated from Butler Senior High School in 1943 and moved to Boston, MA shortly after the end of the Second World War and attended Boston University. She began her long and successful career as a realtor after moving to Norfolk, VA in 1957.

While attending her 30th high school reunion in Butler, she and Nicholas Rock found each other and realized that they had known each other when they were six years old. The reunion was magical for them, and a little over a year later they were married. They had a mutual appreciation of and passion for depression glass, Art Deco pottery, and collectibles of that era. Once Nick retired, they combined their interest in collectibles with their sense of adventure by traveling from their home in Manassas VA, to Vero Beach, FL, following the circuit of antiques shows along the coast. They were highly regarded dealers of glass and pottery, and the amiable couple had friends everywhere. They eventually made their home in Vero Beach where they had friends and where Nick could play golf almost year-round.

Nick’s passing in 1998 was difficult for Eleanore, however, she kept up her interest in antiques consulting with clients and hosting sales. For three years she was the Director of the Antiques and Collectible Show which was a fundraiser at the Vero Beach Center for the Arts, now the Vero Beach Museum of Art. Eleanore was also a member of the Garden Club of Vero Beach and was its president for a term. She was a talented artist and a well-known and sought after restorer of ceramic pieces. She was kind to strangers and took exception to injustices, especially to women.

Eleanore enjoyed life and loved to travel, hardly missing a chance to visit her family and friends in places including Butler, Rochester, Maui, Las Vegas, Michigan, and Madrid. She had a dynamic personality and was always on the go; she will truly be missed by her family and friends.

A memorial service will be held later in 2025 at Arlington National Cemetery where she will be laid to rest alongside her husband Nicholas Rock.

Arrangements are by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach.