Dorothy Edna "Cooper" Goodlet

Edna Goodlet

Edna Goodlet has seen a great many changes in the 46 years she has lived in Port Ryerse. She came to Port Ryerse in 1946 with her husband, Dave, and two small children, Anne and David. Their third child, Dick, was born here a few years later. The first summer, the Goodlets rented a cottage on the beach. They loved the lake and the feel of the community, so made inquiries about renting another place near the bridge for the winter. Having successfully weathered one winter with no running water, Edna and Dave purchased the property. Edna resides there still. After the trauma of the war, Port Ryerse was, for the Goodlets, a peaceful and quiet haven. The social life in Port Ryerse was relaxed but hectic in the summer when everyone would come to the lake to visit. In winters people battened down the hatches and settled in. On a perfect May day in 1952, with renovations largely completed, their home was totally destroyed by a fire. After this setback, the community rallied around and, with much moral support and many work bees, their home was rebuilt. Edna has witnessed this trait many times for many other families over the years. Like other small communities, helping hands are there when needed and without asking. With the expense of the new house, Edna was forced to seek work outside the home. They operated the village post office, but that was not enough. The older children were conscripted to help with the post office when Edna found a job. At her first interview Edna was required to take a typing test. When she looked down at her completed paper, she realized that she had started with her hands in the wrong place and the result was garble. When the company hired her anyway, she asked why and was told "We like to train our own"! A few years later, Edna took up employment in the office of Dr.Keith Mclntosh in Simcoe, where she remained for 22 years. Not only was Edna a working mom, but she was also very involved in the community. For 27 years she was the Brown Owl for the Vittoria/Walsh/Port Ryerse Brownies.

Edna was also part of a community group that brought about the re-opening of Memorial Anglican Church in Port Ryerse. Very few of the congregation, including Edna, were Anglicans at that time and they made it plain to the Bishop that they saw the Church as welcoming the whole community. The welcome and informal atmosphere which that group fostered still exists today in the church, and Edna continues to be an active member. One of her favourite activities is gathering and making little bouquets with the children for distribution at the service on Mother's Day. Many little ones, and young adults too, have fond memories of doing this with Edna. Edna and the other women of the village were also active with the little community school, situated on what is now Cookson property at the top of the hill. On one occasion, the mothers were meeting at her house to plan a school play while all the little darlings were busily occupied across the road breaking the church windows! Although Port Ryerse has grown and changed, and Edna finds there are many new residents whom she doesn't know, she feels the basic community spirit still remains.

"TIMES CHANGE! BUT THE CHURCH GOES ON."
BY EDNA GOODLET