GOODITH HEENEY

Goodith Mary Heeney (née Feilding), known affectionately to all as "Goodie". Born in Staten Island, NY on August 26, 1936, died in Peterborough, Ontario on December 4, 2024 at age 88.

Goodie lived a life defined by loving kindness, compassion and unwavering dedication to her community. She was a formidable champion of the marginalized, the vulnerable and the unheard. She possessed an extraordinary ability to mobilize people and create lasting change.

After her husband Brian's death in 1983, she was instrumental in founding Hospice Peterborough so that others who experience similar loss would have the support they need. In 2019, Hospice Peterborough named a section of their new facility the "Heeney Family Program Wing'' as a tribute to her three decades of advocacy and dedication to end-of-life care.

Her commitment to community service extended far beyond Hospice Peterborough. Goodie was instrumental in establishing the Peterborough Family Resource Centre (now known as the Ontario Early Years Centre) and served as the founding chair of the Friends of Kinark. Her work with vulnerable populations included serving as a community advisor for YWCA Crossroads Safe Haven Campaign and volunteering at Youth Court with the John Howard Society to help families navigate the criminal justice system. She also led the Community Lunch Program at St. John's Anglican Church for many years, helping feed and support the hungry and vulnerable. Through her many governance roles at Lakefield College School, she was a persuasive force in the school's decision to become co-educational.

Her lifetime of service was recognized with numerous accolades, including the YMCA Peace Medal, the Trent University Award for Community Leadership, and the Paul Harris Fellow Recognition Award from The Rotary Club. Yet her greatest achievements were the quiet, interpersonal kindnesses she extended to friends, acquaintances and strangers alike. Goodie valued optimism, persistence and roll-up-your-sleeves hard work, and she had little patience for complaining, an attitude captured neatly in her trademark encouragement, "Make the cheerful choice."

Survived by her husband Bruce Duff Lister; her children Michael (Hilary), Annie Johnston (Richard), Tim (Shuna) and Matthew (Polly); grandchildren Henry (Natalie), Frannie and Mark, Trevor (Sarah), Malcolm (Robin) and Rachel, Duncan and Emma, and Molly and Jack; and great grandchildren Vivienne, Tessa, Theo and Oliver. Also by Bruce's children and their families. Predeceased by her husband Brian, son John, brother Geoff Feilding, and her parents, Charles and Ann Feilding.

Special thanks to the There4Care team (especially Sasha, Nathalie, Joy, Nike and Tru) and the staff at Princess Gardens who cared for Goodie with such love and patience.

Funeral service to be held Thursday, December 12, 2024, at 1:00 pm at St. John's Anglican Church, 99 Brock St., Peterborough. Bright colours are encouraged! The service will be live-streamed on the St. John's Facebook page, https://stjohnspeterborough.ca/watch or https://www.facebook.com/StJohnsPtbo/live/. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Goodie's memory to Hospice Peterborough or One City Peterborough.