Remembering Keith
This week we remember Keith Goffe, a wonderful friend of FitzRoy, who sadly passed away on 22 March 2026, aged 93. For many years, Keith was part of the FitzRoy family. Anyone who met him remembers the same things – his infectious laugh, his warm smile and the way he always made time for other people. He never judged anyone, he simply accepted people for who they were and treated everyone with kindness.
But above everything else, Keith was devoted to his son Malcolm.
Malcolm, who has Down’s syndrome, has always been Keith’s world. When Malcolm was born in 1969, Keith and his wife Ann were told that Malcolm’s future might be limited. Doctors said he might only live to 18 or 20. Keith and Ann were devastated, but they did what they would go on to do throughout Malcolm’s life – they focused on giving him the fullest and happiest life possible.
As Malcolm grew up, Keith and Ann realised there was very little local support for children with learning disabilities and their families. Rather than accept that, they helped bring families together in Petersfield. What began as a small meeting grew into the Petersfield Society for Special Needs, creating opportunities for people with learning disabilities to make friends, enjoy discos, go on trips and be part of their community.
In many ways, Keith and Ann shared the same belief as our founder, Elizabeth FitzRoy. When Elizabeth’s son Michael was young, she refused to accept that he should grow up in an institution. She believed people with learning disabilities deserved safe, loving homes where they could thrive and be part of their community.
That belief led to Donec becoming FitzRoy’s first ever home in 1962. Decades later, it was still at the heart of what Keith wanted for Malcolm – not just support, but a place where he would be known and loved.
As Keith got older and began thinking about Malcolm’s future, he knew he wanted Malcolm to be supported by FitzRoy. In 2018 Malcolm moved into Donec Mews and Keith quickly became part of the home’s family too.
Keith helped design Malcolm’s room so it truly felt like home. He was always there – at parties, celebrations, Sunday dinners and even Christmas Day. Staff remember him popping in just to say hello, getting to know everyone who lived there and encouraging staff.
His support for FitzRoy never stopped. Every week, Malcolm would return from visits home with a tub filled with 50p coins that Keith had collected for donations. Keith was constantly fundraising and looking for ways to support Malcolm, Donec and FitzRoy as a whole.
Keith’s generosity came in many forms – his time, his friendship, his fundraising and his unwavering belief in what good support can mean for a family.
He was truly one of a kind and he will be deeply missed by everyone at Donec and across FitzRoy. But his impact lives on in Malcolm, in the home he helped shape and in the countless people whose lives he touched with his kindness.
Rest in peace to our dear friend Keith. Thank you for everything, we will miss you.
We send our love to everyone who loved and knew Keith.