Obituary of Anna Dawn Goddard

The family is heartbroken to announce that Anna Goddard passed away March 2, 2021. She left this world exactly as she would have liked, quietly and peacefully in her own home with her beloved husband of 58 years, Frank, at her side. They were true soulmates and were rarely apart. She will be greatly missed by daughter Dawn Goddard-Spencer (Donald); son Steven Goddard (Heather); her precious grandchildren Michael James Spencer and Sophie Scott Goddard; her brother Douglas; special sister Bertha, as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents Ken and Helen Cosman and brothers Walter, Earl and Stephen. She loved all of her family deeply. Anna was born June 15, 1944 at the Head of Millstream on the family farm where she learned the value of hard work and the importance of family. She was a lifelong learner, graduating from Sussex High School in 1962, Teachers College in 1972 and the University of New Brunswick in 1979 (BT) and 1986 (Master of Education). She was an elementary school classroom teacher, an Academic Consultant and Methods and Resources Teacher. She loved children and books. Following retirement she took great joy in helping with Michael’s care. She was a loving and involved grandmother and they shared a very special bond. During this time she expanded her philanthropic role and worked tirelessly for many charities including the New Brunswick Breast Cancer Network (President), Canadian Cancer Society (Board Member), St. Paul’s United Church (Trustee, Ministry & Personnel), Dance Fredericton (Past Vice President), New Brunswick Public Libraries Foundation (Past Treasurer) and the Interchurch Refugee Committee to mention just a few. After the dissolution of the UNB Women’s hockey team in 2008, Anna played an integral role in having the team reinstated. She was instrumental in establishing the BMO Becky Watson Award. Following that the Anna Dawn Goddard Women’s Hockey Scholarship at UNB was established by her family in her honour. As a tribute to her work for breast cancer charities, she was selected as one of the Fifty Women Over Fifty in Atlantic Canada for her decades of work. The following is a quote from one of the many people she helped "If we are lucky, people come into our lives just when we need them. You are that person for me. You showed me life after a breast cancer diagnoses was possible." Anna’s diagnoses with breast cancer at age 38 increased her passion for life. She loved all things pink, her 100 year old house, her gardens filled with peonies, Mozart, world wide travel, time spent with her sister, the Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival, prosecco, large family gatherings, shopping, intimate dinner parties and her many friends but most of all she loved her family. She was a role model and inspiration to everyone she met and her loss will be deeply felt by many. The family would like to thank the many doctors and nurses who were involved in her care over the years, in particular Dr. Khaleduzzaman, the extramural nurses who visited her in her final days and her niece Lynn Wallace. There will not be a funeral. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Anna’s memory to the UNB Anna Dawn Goddard Women’s Hockey Scholarship, St. Paul’s United Church Foundation or the Canadian Cancer Society.