My mother was a strong, determined, complex woman who loved salmon fishing with my dad, red wine, jig saw and crossword puzzles, roasting a turkey, picking berries, cats and dogs, and watching just about anything on PBS.

Mom was born September 11th, 1932 to Enoch and Ada Goodburn, in Maidstone Saskatchewan. She was the fourth child, and “baby” of the family and youngest sister to Olive, George (Percy) and Irene.

Living in Saskatchewan during the depression was difficult for the Goodburn family. Mom never spoke kindly about her early years in Saskatchewan. She did however, speak warmly about the Goodburn family friends and neighbors in the small farming community of Maidstone. Her beloved horse Flossie that she rode to and from school during the harsh winters was another good friend and companion. Her connection to the family friends in Maidstone continued for many years, with her subscription to the local paper, The Maidstone Mirror.

My grandfather, Enoch, eventually moved the family to the small community of Winfield BC and they settled on a 5 acre apple orchard. Mom attended Kelowna High School and there she met her lifelong friend, Emi (Naito). Shortly after graduation, with the approval of her father, moved to the big City of Vancouver and she moved in with her friend Ruth.

Mom’s move to Vancouver was life changing, on many levels. She was in awe of the bright lights of Kingsway, living the life of a single gal with her good friend Ruth, and seeking and finding a job at Rexall Drugs on Dunbar Street. Mom met her partner for life, Ted Townsend, at a Square Dance in a dance hall on Main Street, a relationship that lasted 51 years. They were married in Vancouver in March of 1953 in a simple ceremony with a few family and friends attending. They rented cheap basement suites in Vancouver, worked hard, saved their money and bought a house in East Vancouver in 1958. Mom was a stay at home mother, who loved tending to her garden, canning fruit and salmon, making jam, and religiously listening to CKNW for the “Are You Listening” question, hoping to win a little cash and knowing that if she did, she would donate some of the money to the “NW Orphans Fund.” She had little patience for “Are You Listening” winners who didn’t.

The proud, stoic and strong Goodburn lineage stayed with mom all her life. She worked hard, took little time for herself, spoke her mind, relied on no one for anything, paid for what she bought with cash, and firmly believed in “cleanliness is next to Godliness.”

Mom and dad had a happy and loving marriage, and together built a good life for themselves and their family. They enjoyed family picnics, dinners and outings with the Townsend and Goodburn clans socializing with their few, but close family friends. Mom’s world became a little bigger when she worked part time for a driving school, the City/Provincial/Federal elections and for the Vancouver City Directory. Together mom and dad did a little travelling, but their favorite place was Deep Bay on Vancouver Island. For many years they vacationed there, later purchasing a trailer, and once dad retired, spent most summers at their beloved compound at Deep Bay. Salmon fishing occupied their time, spending hours and hours in their boat. Mom canned salmon, dad smoked it and together they froze salmon, bringing copious amounts of salmon home to enjoy and share with friends and family. Mom bravely overcame her fear of drowning and her inability to swim, so that she could share in the joy of the sport her husband loved.

Mom and Dad alone, or as a couple were devoted volunteers for various nonprofits, and in particular to Ridge Meadows Hospital, spending an inordinate amount of time with residents in care. They were willing and engaging volunteers who helped wherever help was needed, from escorting on bus trips and outings, Christmas decorating, visiting with residents, and even going so far as to take the bus home and washing it in their driveway. They loved the residents, enjoyed working with the staff and in turn were loved by the residents and appreciated by the staff.

Grandchildren softened mom and she loved Jennifer and John with a fierce, passionate and devoted love. She found great joy in watching them grow. She knit or crocheted blankets, sweaters and hats for them, and later in life, enjoyed a glass or two of wine with them over a pub lunch.

After dad’s death in 2004, mom continued to live her life as fiercely independent as she always had, with pride and strength, and courage. She had very few

friends, and her days were mostly spent in solitude, talking to family members on the phone and watching PBS with her beloved cats Yogurt and Matilda.

Mom eventually was moved to Residential care and spent the last four years of her life at Deltaview Life Enrichment Centre where she was cared for by, compassionate, competent and loving staff. Her last years were spent living her life the way she always had, feisty, strong, determined, and independent. She enjoyed sitting in the dining room reading aloud from books and magazines. Chances are she generally didn’t understand what she was reading, but she loved to read the words. One memorable day while she was reading aloud she came across the words “free shipping.” Immediately and without hesitation my quiet and rather shy mother, became extremely animated, excited and happy. She started shouting out the words “free shipping” while smiling and looking around the dining room. Years later, the Deltaview staff remembers mom’s exuberance and sheer happiness on her “free shipping” day. Mom always loved a deal.

Mom passed away on Easter Monday, April 6th, 2015. I’d like to believe she is now with my dad, Ted and the “baby she lost” Gordon Edward in a peaceful place.

Mom left me with a lifetime of memories of the woman she was, with glimpses of the woman she perhaps wanted and hoped to be. Her depth and range of emotions and scale of her capacity to love, to judge, and to value are immeasurable and impossible to ever know. What I do know, is that our two hearts are connected and always will be. Safe travels and rest in peace in your next life mom. I love you.

Sandra