Obituary of Evelyn Mary Gooden

GOODEN: Evelyn "Mary" Gooden (nee Watson), April 16, 1922 – April 16, 2017. Mary celebrated her 95th birthday Easter Sunday, April 16, 2017 with her family at her bedside at St. Boniface General Hospital in Winnipeg. Later that day, Mary peacefully slipped away to join her beloved husband of 66 years, George, whom she missed so much. It was a bittersweet celebration and her family is happy for her. Mary was predeceased by her father Edwin Jay Watson, her mother Ellen Watson (nee Allbright), her husband George Kent Gooden, her brothers Ward and Edwin Watson, and her daughter-in-law Karen Gooden (nee Hickling). Mary is survived by her sister Helen Gordon (nee Watson); her three children Kent, Jill Vogan (Eric), and Bill; her six grandchildren Kim Halhead (Brad) and Kurt (Charlotte), Jane Heim (James) and John Vogan, and Eric (Fernando Vargas) and Geoffrey; and five great-grandchildren Brayden and Brooklyn Halhead, twins Willow and Evelyn Heim, and Cecilia Gooden. Mary was born in Togo, Saskatchewan in 1922 and then moved to Brandon where her father Jay Watson was a leading force in the formation of Manitoba Pool Elevators. After attending Brandon schools and college, Mary worked at the Service Flying Training School No. 12/Commonwealth Air Training Plan. In 1945, she married her high school sweetheart George. Typical of the time, Mary stayed at home with their three children while George became the third generation owner of Gooden's Men's Shop and finished his degree at Brandon College. When the children left home for university, Mary joined George at work, which had expanded to include Gooden's Ski Shop. Throughout these years, Mary developed a passion for design and pottery and became an accomplished potter. In 1975, she realized a dream and opened her own art gallery – Staircase Canadiana – featuring watercolours, stoneware pottery and Inuit Art. While it's no secret Mary's preference was to "throw a pot", she was committed to the family first and foremost. Whether a swim or gymnastics meet, school tea, church picnic, family cottage time, duck hunting, water or snow skiing, she was cheerfully a key part of the family event. Similarly, her enthusiastic support extended to the community – particularly the arts community, Brandon University, and community-based resources. In 2004, Brandon University recognized Mary and George's contributions with the naming of the George and Mary Gooden Gallery of Art in the Health Studies complex at Brandon University. And in 2012 Mary was awarded the Queen's Jubilee medal for her support to the local arts community. In 2014, Mary moved to Winnipeg to be closer to family. But Brandon will always be Mary's community. Since George's passing in 2011, Mary's family is especially appreciative of the support and friendship of the Brandon community extended to Mary. Whether she was in a grocery store, a bank, the hospital, church, or Riverheights Terrace, everyone had a special hug for Mary. The family also thanks the staff at Thorvaldson Care Centre in Winnipeg for the attentive care of Mary during her stay there, as well the staff at the St. Boniface General Hospital. The Funeral Service will be held at Central United Church, 327 – 8th Street, on Wednesday, May 3, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Milo Spooner Craig officiating. Interment will take place at the Brandon Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Mary may be made to the Brandon University Foundation, 270 – 18th Street, Brandon, Manitoba, R7A 6A9 or the Elspeth Reid Family Resource Centre, c/o Child & Family Services of Western Manitoba Foundation Inc., 255 – 9th Street, Brandon, Manitoba, R7A 6X1.