Del Goodwin, a strong and vital woman of purpose and passion, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family and friends (and the occasional hummingbird) at the age of 90 at Saanich General Hospital in Saanichton, British Columbia.
She was a pioneer, role model, fierce competitor, advocate, and woman of wisdom to all who knew her, also instilling fear and admiration with her deft, clever and strategically brilliant bridge playing abilities, always with that knowing smile.
Del was born in Bruno, Saskatchewan and was one of 14 children. Del met and married her husband of 56 years, Jack Goodwin in Manitoba and moved to and around Ontario while Jack served in the Canadian Air Force. Settling in Pierrefonds, Quebec with sons Bob and Rick, attending and supporting the boys’ hockey, Del worked for many years as a buyer for Brown, Boveri and Cie in Montreal while Jack taught at Concordia University.
The west coast of Canada beckoned as they moved to Sidney, British Columbia in 1988, retiring to a life of golf, travel and spending more time with family. Bridge was not Del’s only forte, excelling in other card games (rummy anyone?) and loved entertaining friends and family.
Del chose how she wished to live and how and when to leave as she did with dignity, strength, grace and humour. “When I think back, it’s all happy.”
Del was predeceased by her parents John and Magdalen Honish, her husband John (Jack) Robert Goodwin, sons Richard (Rick) Russell and Robert (Bob) John, 11 brothers-Ralph, Rufus, Clifford, Wilfred, Harold, Cletus (Norm), Dennis, Werner (Vern), Sylvester, Bernard and Gerald and sister Hilda.
Del leaves behind many to remember her and mourn her passing while cherishing moments together: her daughter-in-law Linda Cook Goodwin, grandsons Russell (Jasmine Eppelsheimer) and Jackson, sister Jeneatt (Claude) Latulippe, sister-in-law Geraldine Lundgren, many, many friends and relatives.
The family wishes to thank all those who shared their love for Del through their support, visits, and kindness. Special gratitude is extended to the amazing staff at San-Pen Hospital for their dedication and labour of love.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Saanich Peninsula Hospital or the Kira Good Legacy Fund at www.victoriafoundation.bc.ca
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Jennifer Carver
My deepest condolences. May she be forever in your hearts.