Family and friends in Goshen, Indiana, are mourning following the passing of Marie Lambright on January 7, 2026. At the age of 87, she departed peacefully at Greencroft Healthcare after a brief illness. Known formally as “E” Marie Lambright, her life bridged rural Kentucky roots with the close-knit rhythms of Elkhart County, where she nurtured deep connections that endured through decades of change.
Born on June 7, 1938, in Jarvis, Kentucky, to John and Rebecca (Newman) Prince, Marie grew up amid the Appalachian landscapes that instilled in her a resilient and compassionate spirit. Her early years reflected the values of hard work and family closeness common to the region, shaping a woman who approached life’s challenges with grace and unwavering care. On September 4, 1963, she married Stanley Lambright, building a partnership that lasted until his passing on June 30, 2004, and formed the foundation of her fulfilling adult life in Goshen.
Marie centered her world on family, embracing roles as a devoted mother and grandmother with profound love and guidance. She is survived by her children—Gary Smith of Goshen, Mike (Cheryl) Smith of Nappanee, Deb (Willy) Miller of Shipshewana, Susie (James) Cassel of Irving, Texas—and daughter-in-law Brenda Lambright of Elkhart. The joy of nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren brought endless fulfillment, as she cherished moments of togetherness that highlighted her nurturing presence and the generational bonds she so carefully fostered.
A brother, Jack Prince of Cincinnati, Ohio, also survives her, maintaining the sibling tie that connected her to her Kentucky origins. Marie’s approach to relationships embodied quiet generosity, offering support and warmth that made her a steady source of comfort for those around her. In the Goshen area, known for its strong community fabric, her life exemplified the enduring power of familial loyalty and everyday kindness.
Her nearly nine decades reflected a commitment to the simple yet profound joys of home and hearth, inspiring those she touched to value connection and perseverance. The void left by her passing underscores the gentle impact of a woman who lived fully within the circles of love she created.
As family and friends prepare to gather in her honor, Marie’s memory will continue to bring solace through the lives she enriched. Visitation is scheduled for Sunday, January 11, 2026, from 1 to 5 p.m. at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home in Goshen, followed by an 11 a.m. funeral service on Monday, January 12, 2026, officiated by Pastor Jon Rauch. Burial will take place in Violett Cemetery, offering a final resting place in the community she called home.