DOROTHY JEAN GOODMAN

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DOROTHY JEAN GOODMAN 1919 2016 Dorothy Jean Goodman passed away peacefully, March 14, 2016 at the age of 96. She was predeceased by her parents, Bertram A Goodman and May Easton McLaren Goodman, a twin sibling who died at birth as well as another sister. Dorothy was born on September 7, 1919 in Regina, Saskatchewan and from a very early age she exhibited pronounced musical talent. Her first piano teacher declared her "nothing short of a wonder" showing such promise that an audition was arranged for her with one of Canada's finest pianists and teachers of her generation, Eva Clare. When Ms. Clare agreed to take her on as a student, Dorothy's parents moved from Regina to Winnipeg to accommodate her training. Dorothy rapidly became a star pupil and played as a soloist with Peter Temple's Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra at the age of 11. At the age of 16 Dame Myra Hess, a noted English pianist, heard Dorothy play and arranged an audition with Mr. Sigismund Stoyovsky at the Julliard School in New York, which led to a full scholarship. She spent the next 10 wonderful years in New York City, studying at Julliard and beginning a concert career. Life was filled with study, theatre and music. But of course Dorothy had her share of time off fun, from dinner at the Waldorf hotel, to weekends at her best friend Amy Oakley's family estate in the country, which Dorothy referred to as living the lifestyle of Katherine Hepburn in the movie The Philadelphia Story. Her thirst for anything theatrical was never quenched. She had been known to binge on theatre and movies, sometimes seeing three shows in succession in a single day. If given the choice of food or theatre/movies, she would choose entertainment hands down. As Dorothy was making strong progress as a concert pianist a strange illness struck, causing the muscles in her neck and upper back to seize and atrophy. With a European concert tour and engagements with major orchestras scheduled, she consulted with specialists in Boston and New York, both of which were unable to help cure her. Devastated, she returned to Winnipeg and would not touch anything to do with music for over a year. Gradually Dorothy was encouraged to take up teaching at Sacred Heart Convent and what started out as occasional lessons became a full time job at the convent. This took some coaxing because, as Dorothy herself put it "I hated teaching: I hated teachers. It was not what I wanted to do." But the children converted her and within a year she opened her own studio on Academy Road that she ran for 45 years. She always said of her teaching years: "Given the chance, I would do it all over again." Dorothy and her Mother had some exceptional trips together. May Goodman was a very well known figure in Canada, whose prominence secured them a luncheon invitation to Buckingham Palace, where they rubbed shoulders with King Faisal of Iraq and Winston Churchill. Another time when an uncle gave Dorothy and her Mother $3,000 each, they used it to fund a three and a half month grand tour of Europe. Dorothy's love of travel never stopped and even in her early 90's she was trying to plan a visit back to New York, but unfortunately her health would not allow. Her wonderful memories however, of all the places she was fortunate to have visited, kept her going for many years. In retirement, Dorothy remained active and engaged. For many years, each day, regardless of the weather she would take the bus downtown for lunch at Chamberlyn's, then to her usual shops, including Maude Chapman and Birks. As age happened and wanting to be in close proximity to her favourite people and places, Dorothy decided that she would like to set up residency at the Fairmont, which fit into her fancy for swank hotels. She lived there for many years in the lap of luxury that she so deserved, being treated like royalty by all staff that she came in contact with. Each day she was escorted by Jim Woo, the former Head Doorman, to the Velvet Glove restaurant for her lunch. The chef would always create something wonderful for her. As time went on the staff became so fond of Dorothy that they created a special private section where she sat each day. Knowing that she only came to the restaurant for her lunch, the Velvet Glove staff often delivered a snack to her room in the evening. Following a fall and resulting hip injury, Dorothy required some help with her everyday needs. All who knew Dorothy can imagine the grueling task it was getting her to accept the fact that she needed assistance. Eventually it was accepted and with her "Dream Team" in place she was able to live life on her terms until her health would no longer permit it. A tremendous thank you and appreciation to the entire staff at the Fairmont Hotel and to her Main Guardian Angels from Comforts of Home Lee Anne, Nicole, Barbara, Lynette, Zara Kaye, Deborah and all other caregivers who had the privilege of helping Dorothy. You all made it possible for Dorothy's final years to be the best that they could possibly be. A private graveside memorial will be held in the near future. In lieu of flowers, those who wish can donate to the Sunshine Fund or any children's charity of choice. "TIME TO GO HOME E.T." Chapel Lawn www.chapellawn.ca 204-885-9715

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 19, 2016