Signe Ann (Gooch) Savage passed away in the early morning hours of March 7, 2025 in Fortuna, with her family by her side, after a brief but well fought battle with cancer.

Signe was born April 7, 1956 to James Fredrick Gooch and Mildred Berniece (Lowans) Gooch in Oakland. Growing up she had a brother, James Gordon, who was 21 years her senior, so she spent most of her childhood with her cousin, Mary Ellen Hamm, whom she said was more like a sister to her.

She met (Smokey) John Savage in 1975 and they were married soon after in 1976. They moved to Bridgeville that same year and welcomed their first son, Joshua, in October of 1976. They soon moved to the Mattole Valley, where they welcomed their second son, Clayton, in 1978, and their daughter, Miranda, in 1980.

Signe wore many hats over the years, and was known and lovingly called Mama Bear to most who knew her. She was also a home maker, off grid homesteader, EMT, professional cook, corrections officer, and later Nana Bear to her grandchildren — the lights of her life — David, John James, Roan Lily and Ora Jayde. She was especially fond of the time she spent as a cook at The Hideaway in Petrolia, where she formed numerous lifelong friendships and took much pleasure in seeing the old timers of the valley that would come to get a taste of her home baked bread.

Although Signe was born and raised in Alameda County, her heart and soul was always in the mountains. Signe moved to Oklahoma in 1993 and lived there for 20 years but she would forever call the Mattole Valley her home. She returned to California in 2012 to be with her grandchildren and you would often find her in the kitchen with one or more of them baking up something delicious.

Signe was kind, loving and would give anything and all that she had to someone in need. But she was also fiercely protective of her family and as such the moniker of Mama Bear fit her very well.

She met Gary Ferguson (Papa Gary as the grandkids would know him) and quickly became smitten and the two were inseparable for over 10 years. Through Gary came a very large extended family whom Signe felt blessed to have been welcomed into, and she loved each of them very much.

Signe was preceded in death by her mother and father, Berniece and Fred Gooch, her Brother James (Jimmy) Gordon and her husband Smokey John Savage.

She is survived by her son Josh Savage (Esmeralda), son Clayton Savage, daughter Miranda Savage, and son Marc Henson. She is also survived by her cousin Mary Ellen Hamm, her sister Laura Brietegger, Gary Ferguson, her Grandchildren David, J.J., Roan and Ora, her dearest friend Onnolee Jenkins and many, many more extended family and friends.

The family would like to extend our most heartfelt thanks to Hospice of Humboldt and in particular Bridgette, Karen, Mel and Paula. Although our time was brief the kindness, patience and care you showed as we were walking uncharted territory was so very much appreciated and truly meant so much.

A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, June 29, at 2 p.m. taking place at 2250 Rohnerville Road, Fortuna (corner of Rohnerville Road and David Way). It will be outdoors and seating limited so if you can, bring a chair. If you would like to bring a food dish to share please do so, if not just bring yourselves.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Signe Savage’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.