When Barbara Goodwin was a teenager, she set her sights on becoming a nurse.
She was on track to realizing her dream after completing high school but, while on a practicum at Vancouver’s St. Paul’s Hospital, she dropped out. Her father was diagnosed with cancer and she wanted to be with him in what everyone thought, was his dying days.
“He actually lived, but in those days, you didn’t expect that,” Goodwin said. “I then got married.”
Becoming a nurse became less of a priority as Goodwin focused on starting a family, but her interest in healthcare never wavered.
She helped her mother-in-law cut bandages for the wounded at the Red Cross and became an early supporter to build a hospital in Richmond, joining the Richmond Hospital Health Auxiliary in the early 1960s.
Thanks to a successful referendum, Richmond Hospital opened its doors in 1966, but Goodwin’s involvement would not end.
Her focus turned to raising money for the hospital, becoming a founder of Richmond Hospital’s thrift shop in 1974. Through the years, she got involved with other organizations and became a director of the Richmond Caring Place and the Richmond Community Foundation.
She was also president of Rosewood Manor (a non-profit residential care home for seniors), a board member of the BC Summer Games and she served as a coordinator of the Steveston Salmon Festival.
“I’ve been involved with a lot of things,” Goodwin said, adding she was chair of the recent Richmond Hospital Golf Tournament, and is still actively involved with the hospital and Rosewood Manor. “And I’ve enjoyed all of it.”
Goodwin, 70, said the busiest she has ever been was six years ago when she was sitting on five different boards.
She has since taken a step back and is now involved with three.
Goodwin’s roots in Richmond run deep, which may partly explain her life-long devotion to the community.
Her grandparents moved to Richmond in the early 1900s and Goodwin has lived here her entire life.
Her two daughters still live here and so do most of her seven grandchildren. She also has a great-grandson and a younger sister and brother.
In 2014, Goodwin was recognized for her extensive contribution to the community with the Milan Ilich Award for Leadership.
And on July 1, Goodwin will be recognized again. She is the parade marshal of the 2016 Steveston Salmon Festival parade.
This latest recognition brings Goodwin’s volunteer career full circle, as her first volunteer experience was at Steveston Community Centre, when she was 12-years-old.
“I was shocked at first but felt very honoured,” Goodwin said, describing her initial reaction to the news. “I didn’t anticipate it.”
Goodwin still enjoys attending the salmon festival, which allows her to meet up with family and friends in a fun and festive atmosphere.
She said the festival has changed a lot since she was a child and one thing she misses most, is the pomp and elegance that came with one event, which ended in 1986.
“I miss the Salmon Queen ceremony and the early years,” Goodwin said.
“Everyone was all dressed up for it and it was a more formal atmosphere. It was elegant those days. It was really something.”
Another thing that has changed over the decades is that it has become harder to recruit volunteers.
Putting on an event like the salmon festival requires a lot of volunteers, and its continuation depends on it.
“I would like to see the younger generation step up to the plate so this continues for another 70 years,” Goodwin said. “I wish the salmon festival continued success.”
When she is not busy with her various volunteer work, Goodwin relaxes by playing golf, gardening and travelling.
She also frequents Arizona every year, during the winter.
