Elizabeth "Betty"

Goll

Betty Goll passed away peacefully at home in Charleston, South Carolina, at the age of 95 on October 7, 2026, with her loving family close by. She was born in 1930 to Grady and Elizabeth Carpenter in Arkansas. After her parents’ divorce in 1934, she was raised by her mother and adoptive father, Louis Etherton, an officer in the U.S. Army.

In 1946, her family moved to post-war Japan, where she graduated from the Tokyo American School. Experiencing a different culture instilled a lifelong wanderlust in Betty. Back in the U.S., she attended American University. She left college early when she had the opportunity to join her parents in Maracay, Venezuela, for two years. There, she picked up conversational Spanish, a language that would come in handy throughout her life.

After her return to the U.S., she met Samuel Goll. They married and raised three beloved children: David, Kathy, and Steve. As fate would have it, Sam took a job with Eastern Airlines in Miami, Florida, unlocking even more opportunities to travel the world. Her passion for travel took the family on vacations throughout the U.S., Europe, and the Caribbean. After her divorce, travel remained a priority, and she organized family trips to Asia, South America, Russia, Australia, and Africa.

In Miami, Betty worked as a Montessori teaching assistant at an elementary school in the Dade County Public Schools. Following retirement, she moved to the Orlando area of Florida. There, she answered a casting call to become a Mickey Mouse character at Walt Disney World. While she did have one day’s experience portraying Minnie Mouse, being a character attendant was a better fit for her than a mouse costume. The 18 years she spent interacting with guests from all over the world at the Most Magical Place on Earth became the happiest time of her life. She was blessed to be able to share her Disney experience with her family and friends.

Betty continued indulging her inner vagabond throughout retirement, visiting more than 50 countries and nearly every state, with more trips always in the works.

Betty is survived by her children, David Goll (Louise), Kathy DiSalvo (Don), and Steve Goll (Nancy); her grandson Graham; her half-brother Jerry (Donna); and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents and her half-brother Tom Carpenter.

A celebration of Betty’s life will be held in Charleston, South Carolina. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a charitable donation to Make-A-Wish America.

https://wish.org/give-hope-granting-life-changing-wishes