Rhona Elizabeth Goodspeed died peacefully at La Pieta long term care facility in Gatineau. Born in Quebec City, Rhona completed her BA at Carleton University in English and art history in the late 1970s. She obtained a MA in art history from the University of British Columbia in 1982, writing a thesis on Lotto's London Portrait of a Woman. Rhona's great passion was Renaissance art, she was a frequent traveller to Italy, and enjoyed visiting Gothic cathedrals. She worked as a sessional lecturer in Renaissance art at Carleton before joining the staff at Parks Canada in 1990, where she did research for nominations submitted to the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada (HSMBC) on such topics as Pegi Nicol MacLeod and Guido Nincheri, and on cemeteries including Beechwood Cemetery, cultural landscapes and her beloved National Arts Centre where she often attended classical music concerts, ballets, and other performances. A woman of broad interests and deep compassion, Rhona loved nature and animals, especially cats, was active in the Ottawa Buddhist Society, and embraced music, yoga, feminism, natural healing and eastern spirituality. She also loved downhill skiing, horseback riding, hiking and travel. After surviving a cancer diagnosis, she made it her personal mission to give practical and empathetic support to anyone she knew who experienced the disease. Over the years, she gathered a circle of friends who appreciated her gentle humour, empathy and kindness. They helped care for her in her illness and will all greatly miss her. Rhona was survived by brother Nicholas Goodspeed; and cousins Sharon Wilson of New York and Susan Lee (née Wilson) of North Carolina. She was predeceased by her father, Frederick Goodspeed and her mother, Patricia Mary Helena Cliffe Goodspeed, as well as her aunt Frances Elizabeth Goodspeed of Ottawa, whom Rhona cared for in her final days. Rhona's friends and family extend heartfelt thanks to the staff of La Pieta for their professional and compassionate care.
Digital Guestbook
Isabelle C. Gauthier
John Brittain
I was sorry to hear of Rhona's passing.
My grandfather Dr John Brittain acted as best man at the wedding of his friend and colleague,Frederick Maynard Cogswell Goodspeed (Freddie) and Patricia Mary Helena Cliffe, Rhona's parents, at Cardigan in 1945. I still have a photograph of the wedding. John and Frederick worked together at the Projectile Development Establishment, Aberporth, Wales, during the second world war,they were working on the 3" un-rotated projectile or 3" UP. This was an anti-aircraft rocket and John had been involved in the project since the beginning in 1936, working with Dr Alwyn Crow. John worked on the firing range , whilst Frederick was involved with the mathematics side and was based in Cilwendeg Mansion, at Boncath, which was the head quarters. The property was sold recently and I was shown around whilst restoration work was being carried out. John and Frederick used to stay at the Black Lion Hotel, Cardigan. In one of the letters that John sent home to his wife in Kent, in November 1945, he mentioned that he had seen Freddie Goodspeed on Fair day in Cardigan and he was waiting for Patricia to leave the Army before emigrating to Canada. I would love to hear from any family members and will happily e-mail a copy of the wedding photo, if any family members would like a copy.
Best wishes John Brittain
Aurevoir ma belle amie. 30 ans d'experiences partagees. Xoxoxo