Emily Goss
Emily (Barbara Jean) Goss, 75, of Maui, Hawai'i, passed peacefully on August 12, 2025. Born on April 22, 1950, at Ellis Hospital in Schenectady, New York, Emily made Maui her home for the past 23 years, where she devoted her time to education, community, and the arts.
Emily was a dedicated volunteer tutor and mentor who found great joy in helping others learn and grow. She served as the committee chair for school gardens at South Maui Sustainability, where she helped create hands-on edible garden projects for local students and trained teachers and volunteers to carry the work forward.
Emily's loved her time at Unity on Maui and with its congregation. She was in attendance every Sunday to open the windows, straighten the chairs, and support Unity in presenting an outstanding Sunday service to the community with her warmth and welcoming smile.
A talented watercolor painter and lifelong lover of the outdoors, Emily enjoyed hiking throughout North America. Her favorite adventure was a 2025 trip to Banff, Canada, where she explored the breathtaking mountain trails with her partner of 12 years, Rev. Blaine Tinsley. She also loved gathering with friends and enjoying meals at her favorite restaurant, Mama's Fish House.
Emily is survived by her sister, Judith Starratt; brother-in-law, Lawrence Starratt; nephew, Ethan Goss; and great-nephews Edmund and Luca Goss. She will be remembered for her warmth, humor, and the genuine care she showed to everyone she met.
A private celebration of life will be held on Saturday, November 1st at Unity of Maui (483 S. High Street, Wailuku, HI) at 2:00 pm. Friends and family are welcomed to attend.