Margaret Goodman

GOODMAN, Margaret "Rita"
March 30, 1930- April 26, 2023

We are saddened to announce the passing of our dearly beloved mother, Rita (Margaret) Goodman. She leaves behind her children, Anne (Bruce), Peter, Ruth (Nicholas), Patricia, Tony (Sharon), Paul, David (Martina), and her grandchildren, Aisling, Jerron, Nikita, Zachary, Alexander, Giten Vincent, Emily, Nicole, Madeleine, Andrea, and Paul Jr, and her great-grandchild, Desmond. Also left to mourn are numerous lifelong friends.
Rita lived a long and full life. She was born in Liverpool and adopted by Wilfred and Emily Webster. Sadly, upon her mother's passing, she went back to Druid's Cross Orphanage, from where she had been adopted, and lived there from 4 years old until 17 years old. She had an excellent education and spoke of her time with the nuns and the other girls fondly. Upon graduation from high school, she studied as a nurse and began practicing at Manchester Royal Infirmary. At the age of 23, in 1953, she emigrated to Canada where she met and married Leonard Goodman in 1954.
The young family started in Sarnia, moved to High Bluff, and then to Victoria in 1964. Having arrived in Victoria, Rita vowed this was the place she would live for the rest of her life. She put down deep roots with memberships in choirs and particularly in a group of lifelong friends associated with the Thomas More Community.
With the end of the marriage, Rita returned to nursing and worked both raising her children and providing care for many others who made their home away from home in her welcoming space. She was a wonderful mother; her resilience was inspirational and her humour infectious. She always respected others and showed her compassion through her endless offers of cups of tea and cookies. She treated all of those who crossed her threshold with dignity and uncommon kindness. She maintained wonderful friendships and kept in touch. She sang in the University Chorus for 40 seasons. In later years, she worked for the Canadian Red Cross and for Seniors Serving Seniors.
Upon retirement, she acted as docent in the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria and continued to provide home care to elders well into her 70s. She lived a life of service. She remained independent into her late 80s but moved into care in her 90th year. Her garden was a continuing source of renewal, and her deep love of music is shared by all her children. As dementia progressed, she maintained those essential parts of her character, her beautiful warmth, a ready smile, optimism, kindness, and interest in others.
She was a role model and hero to many. We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the wonderful staff who cared for her at the Gorge Road Hospital, Arbutus View Unit.

A Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, May 23, 2023 at 11:00am at Sands Funeral Chapel, 1803 Quadra Street, Victoria BC.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.sandsvictoria.ca