The ‘Goodwin Family Bursary’

Jim and Marlyn Goodwin were both born and raised in Elmira, Ontario, a small farming town in Waterloo County. Jim came from a family of 11 children and Marlyn has 1 sister. They were High School sweethearts and married in 1955.

Both Jim and Marlyn appreciated the value of education and went on to post-secondary studies. Jim attended the University of Western Ontario in Science ( B.A 1952 ) and Medicine (M.D. 1957). Marlyn enrolled in nursing at the Kitchener Waterloo Hospital (R.N 1954)

Jim was assisted financially by the Royal Canadian Navy and after graduation served as a medical officer in the Eastern Command.

In 1962 the Goodwin’s arrived in Gravenhurst where Jim joined a group practice in family medicine. He served the community and the South Muskoka Memorial Hospital and in the 43 years he served this community he garnered the respect of everyone who benefitted from his attention to them and their family.

Marlyn was the ‘Welcome Wagon’ hostess for 13 years and the nurse at ‘Beaver Creek Correctional Institution’ for 14 years. She also received her B.A (1977) from Wilfred Laurier University by extension courses 23 years after studying in Kitchener Waterloo.

Jim and Marlyn have 4 sons, all of whom went through the Gravenhurst school system and all of whom continued their education at university or college and have successful careers in 4 different venues. Marlyn and Jim also have 6 grandchildren.

The Goodwin’s have been very active in the community and in organizations such as the Rotary Club of Gravenhurst, Boy Scouts, Canadian Power Squadron, Trinity United Church, Hospital Foundation, Probus Club, Bi-Focal Band and the Seniors Citizens Club. Each has benefitted from the involvement of Jim and Marlyn Goodwin.

Jim and Marlyn were among the first Rotarians to express how important the Rotary Bursary Endowment Fund might be to the community of Gravenhurst and are very pleased and proud to be able to assist the future generation of students in achieving their educational dreams with the help of the Goodwin Family Bursary.