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.
