Obituary of Vivian Lucille Goddard

GODDARD, Vivian Lucille - Age 97, of Bridgewater, passed away peacefully on February 26, 2018. Born in Lunenburg, she was the daughter of the late Capt. Moyle and Mable Crouse. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family. She was predeceased by her husband Raymond and her sisters, Oriel (Goddard) and Dorothy (Davis).

She is survived by son, David and daughter, Janet (Ross Hallett); grandchildren, Eric Goddard (Peggy), Alec Hallett and Sarah Hallett and great grandchildren, Danielle Goddard, Hunter Hallett and Annabelle Hallett; along with nine nieces and nephews and their extended families.

She was educated at the Lunenburg Academy graduating a year early with top honours in 1938. She graduated from the Montreal General Hospital School of Nursing in 1942. She was enlisted in the Naval Reserve. During the war she worked in essential services as a hospital nurse at the Aluminium Company of Canada in Arvida, Quebec. Following the war she went to St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto to do post graduate work on Operating Room studies. She went to Cornwall General Hospital (Ontario) as O.R. Supervisor, staying there until 1951. While there she made lifelong friends. She moved back to Montreal to study teaching and supervision at McGill University and then went back to the Montreal General Hospital as clinical teacher for students in the O.R. She was soon offered the position as Head of the O.R. Department, a position she kept until 1961. When she announced that she was leaving they offered her the Administrators post at the Bermuda General Hospital but her path was returning to Nova Scotia and her new home in Bridgewater.

Following her return to Nova Scotia she became very active in a number of volunteer capacities from President of the Home and School Association to being a loyal canvasser for The Heart Fund, Canadian Cancer, Red Cross and other causes. She was a supporter of several organizations such as the Dawson Memorial Hospital then South Shore Regional Hospital, DesBrisay Museum, The Lunenburg Academy and more. For a number of years she worked beside her husband, Ray, helping in the family business, Goddard Pharmacy.  

Her faith was extremely important to her. Over the years she was a stalwart member of her church (wherever she was living) and was active in several church groups including Ladies Aid, LCW/ELW and Altar Guild, continuing as a choir member into her 96th year.

Guiding was always a very important part of her life. She was a Girl Guide in Lunenburg and a Guide leader in Cornwall. She became a Brownie Leader soon after landing in Bridgewater in 1961 and stayed active until the late 1990’s serving in several positions including Camp Advisor, Area Commissioner and President of the Trefoil Guild. She attended several national camps and was selected as camp nurse to attend the International Camp at Myra River, Cape Breton. She loved camping, whether it was with family, Guiding or Church Family Camp.

Her hobbies included knitting and sewing (especially for Baby Layettes), smock balls, needle point as well as flower gardening. She loved nature and the outdoors hence the camping as well as trout fishing with Raymond. Her family and friends were extremely important to her and she was loved and respected by all. Her great-grands were a great source of delight to her and she enjoyed their artwork and phone/Skype calls.

Visitation will be at Sweeny’s Funeral Home, Bridgewater on Sunday from 2 - 4 p.m. and 7 – 9 p.m. A Celebration of her life and funeral will be led by Pastor Paul Jensen at 2 p.m. Monday, March 5, 2018 at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 25 Phoenix Street, Bridgewater. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church or to the charity of your choice. On-line condolences may be made by visiting www.sweenysfuneralhome.com.