MARY ELIZABETH GODARD

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MARY ELIZABETH GODARD Mary, 92, passed away peacefully October 11, 2015 in Reno, NV. She was born September 9, 1923 in Winnipeg to Lilly Pearl Thompson and Henry William Godard. Mary grew up on Morley Avenue, attending Riverview, Lord Roberts and Kelvin High School, graduating in 1940. An excellent sprinter in her youth ("The Kelvin Comet"), Mary held several Manitoba records. In 1941 she participated in the Canadian Dominion Championships in Toronto, winning two firsts and a second at age 17 in the intermediate division. She was a 1949A nursing graduate of Winnipeg General Hospital (now HSC). Her early career was spent in Public Health rural Manitoba, Hallock, MN, Lac Seul, ON and the nursing station in Nelson House MB. Mary earned her BSc (1959) and her Masters (1966) in Public Health Nursing from the U of Minnesota. She was the Nursing Co-ordinator for the Anoka School District for 21 years (1958-79) when she took early retirement and moved with her partner Peg Berry to Palm Springs, CA. Following Peg's death in 1994, Mary was a companion to others over the years. In 2009 she moved to Reno, NV. Mary loved traveling, cruises, family get-togethers, luncheons, singing, music, attending her nursing reunions, classic movies and candy. She did beautiful needle point, gifting hundreds of hand-made items. She was an avid sports fan - tennis and NFL football being her favourites. Very active in her church, she enjoyed Bible study, the Reno Christian Fellowship, and other activities at the Seniors' Centre. Predeceased by her sister Margaret; brother Bruce; grandniece Jennifer and her beloved Peg, Mary is survived by her sister Catharine; nieces and nephews, Lesley, Geoff, Trevor, Karen, Nancie, Larry and Randy; eight grand and seven great-grandnieces and nephews. Cremation has taken place and Mary will be laid to rest with Peg in Palm Springs, CA.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 14, 2015