Author: The Record
Published October 28, 2024

Photo from Record archives
Marjorie Goodfellow

By William Crooks

Local Journalism Initiative

Marjorie Goodfellow, a steadfast advocate for Quebec’s English-speaking community, passed away over the weekend, leaving behind a legacy rooted in community activism and commitment to language rights. Goodfellow co-founded the Townshippers’ Association, a non-profit dedicated to defending the interests of English-speakers in the Eastern Townships, and was widely recognized for her decades of dedication to promoting minority language rights. Former colleagues and friends recall her as a “brick” — a pillar of strength, organization, and devotion to her community. Her meticulous nature and commitment to the cause set her apart, with former colleagues often reaching out to her whenever they needed information.

Born and raised in Sherbrooke, Goodfellow was a product of the Townships herself. After attending Lennoxville High School and obtaining degrees from Bishop’s and McGill universities, she embarked on her professional journey. Though she spent some time working in Ottawa and Montreal, Goodfellow’s heart remained tied to the Townships, and she eventually returned to her hometown. Her decision to settle back in Sherbrooke allowed her to reconnect with her community, where she quickly became involved in a variety of civic and social causes. Goodfellow also gained prominence through her work at CHUS Hospital, where she served as a board member and played a key role in advocating for bilingual services. According to former colleagues, she would go out of her way to provide translation help for English-speaking patients, ensuring they felt comfortable and understood.

In her personal life, Goodfellow displayed the same welcoming spirit. Those who visited her farmhouse near Sherbrooke recall her warmth and hospitality. Heather Keith, another former president of the Townshippers’ Association, shared memories of Marjorie’s warmth and generosity in a recent conversation. Known as a meticulous archivist, Goodfellow was always ready to provide information or lend a hand. “If I ever needed to know anything, I’d just call Marjorie,” Keith recalled. Her home became a community hub, and her reputation as an organized, resourceful community figure extended beyond her work in formal roles. As Keith recalled, Goodfellow’s dedication to the cause never wavered, even in her retirement years.

Goodfellow’s commitment to her community was perhaps most evident in her work with the Townshippers’ Association. She became president in 1982, just three years after the association’s founding. From the beginning, her leadership style reflected her unwavering belief that English-speaking Townshippers had a responsibility to engage actively with their surroundings. “If we want to be heard, we have to participate,” she would say, a sentiment echoed by Gerry Cutting, a former association president who worked closely with Goodfellow. Cutting recalled in a recent interview with The Record that Goodfellow’s message was clear: visibility was essential for the English-speaking community to thrive. She urged her peers to join local boards, attend municipal meetings, and forge connections with Francophone neighbours. Cutting’s recollection paints a picture of a woman who believed that engagement, rather than isolation, was the key to mutual respect and understanding.

One of Goodfellow’s most visible contributions to the Townships was the creation of Townshippers’ Day (now Townshippers’ Festival), an annual gathering that brings together English-speaking residents, political leaders, and French-speaking neighbours. The event, launched in 1979, aimed to showcase the vitality and unity of the English-speaking community. “The most memorable [Townshippers’ Day] must have been the first one,” Goodfellow once said, recalling the excitement of having a platform to celebrate their culture. The event quickly became a beloved tradition, traveling to different towns each year, allowing each community to display its unique character. This annual celebration was one of the first events to make English-speakers feel visible and acknowledged, fostering relationships with their Francophone counterparts and government officials.

Through her work, Goodfellow became a bridge between two communities often divided by language and cultural differences. She believed deeply in the importance of unity and collaboration, especially in politically tense times. Her advocacy extended to provincial and federal policies, where she frequently voiced her frustrations with legislation she felt marginalized English-speaking Quebecers. In particular, Goodfellow was vocal about Quebec’s use of the notwithstanding clause, a tool she viewed as an unfair means of enforcing restrictive language policies. Yet, despite her criticisms, she encouraged Townshippers to seek common ground with Francophone neighbours and engage in constructive conversations, a strategy that often yielded positive results.

In her role with the CHUS Hospital Foundation, Goodfellow worked tirelessly to increase English-speaking residents’ involvement. According to Cutting, she spearheaded several fundraising initiatives, including a telethon that encouraged the community to support bilingual healthcare services. Her efforts paid off, with bilingual communications becoming more readily available at the hospital. The telethon was just one of many initiatives that showcased Goodfellow’s talent for mobilizing her community. “Marjorie was a force,” Cutting noted. Her ability to rally support was integral to the foundation’s success in ensuring English-speaking patients had access to essential services in their language.

Goodfellow’s advocacy work also touched on education. As a lifelong learner herself, she valued the importance of access to English-language education in Quebec. During her tenure as president of the Townshippers’ Association, she fielded requests from English-speaking parents who struggled to secure education options for their children. Her advocacy efforts often involved meeting with government officials to push for greater flexibility in language policies affecting education. In one instance, she was contacted by a desperate parent who drove to her home, seeking her assistance in enrolling their child in an English school. This encounter reinforced her commitment to increasing the Townshippers’ Association’s profile, ensuring it remained a lifeline for the community.

Former colleagues remember Goodfellow’s knack for blending warmth with resolve. Cutting shared an amusing memory of Goodfellow’s insistence on meeting over tea. “It wasn’t, ‘Would you like to come over?’ It was, ‘You come and have tea,’” Cutting laughed. Goodfellow’s charm often softened her firm approach, but her determination left no room for debate. Cutting noted that despite her gentle demeanor, she was unyielding when it came to matters of principle. Her dedication to community involvement was mirrored in her personal relationships, as she often encouraged friends and colleagues to step into leadership roles within the Townships.

As the Townships mourn the loss of Marjorie Goodfellow, her legacy lives on through the countless lives she touched and the institutions she helped build. She was more than an advocate; she was a role model for English-speaking Quebecers, embodying resilience, engagement, and a commitment to harmony. The Townshippers’ Association and the many organizations she influenced continue to benefit from the foundation she laid. Her passing marks the end of an era, but her contributions serve as a guide for those who wish to follow in her footsteps.

Goodfellow’s story is one of determination and connection. Through her work, she showed that English-speaking Quebecers could thrive by embracing their unique identity and engaging with the world around them. Her life serves as a reminder that community building requires both courage and compassion. As Cutting said, “She’s a model that we should hold high in our esteem.”

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