Much loved Presentation Sister Rita Goodchild PBVM – one of only two survivors of a tragic boating accident in 1959 has passed away at the age of 94.
Arriving in Australia from her home of Cork in Ireland in December 1950, Sr Rita was a spirited woman who possessed a deep faith and transformed many lives over the years through her role as educator, Sister and friend.
Fellow Presentation Sister Lucy Van Kessell PBVM paid tribute to Sr Rita in the Eulogy.
A prayer Sr Rita prayed daily begins “I place my soul for the years to be”… in a place to keep it free”. She certainly was a “free spirit”.
Sr Rita Goodchild was born in Cork, Ireland on 7th October 1929, to Richard and Christine, the second youngest of five children.
After completing school, which she loved, and working for a few years Rita, came to Western Australia with nine much younger women and entered the convent on 28 December 1950. She made first profession on the 26 January 1954. She never lost her love for Cork, her family and Nano Nagle.
In 1959, two days after being finally professed, Sisters Rita and Aquinas survived a tragic boating accident in Mandurah. The accident claimed the lives of Mothers Patricia Lynch and Finbarr Tarrant, Sr Joachim Delahunty and Fr Joseph O’Hara, a young Irish Catholic priest.
The memory of that day, and the subsequent loss, remained clear in her memory and she carried an unshakeable faith in Jesus’ presence in her life.
The Mandurah drowning tragedy was the catalyst for the government to found the Sea Rescue Group in Western Australia in 1961.
In 2021, on the 60th anniversary of the Mandurah Marine Rescue Group, Sisters Aquinas and Rita were made Honorary Life Members of the Marine Rescue. There are 39 departments of this service throughout Australia, resulting from this accident.
After a short time recovering, Rita spent some years at Rivervale, then Goomalling teaching. One past Rivervale student wrote “She was very kind to all the students, a great infant teacher and was loved by all the children. We have beautiful memories of her.”
She was devoted to the children she taught with a special love for the first nations children in Mullewa. Her ministry in education took her to many city and country towns including Mandurah, Cloverdale, Collie, Brunswick Junction, Boyup Brook, Mullewa with repeat visits to several places.
After more than 30 years teaching Rita came to live at Iona and started a second ministry to the children at Rocky Bay Village. Her commitment, love and compassion for the children were legendary.
At Christmas and birthdays, Sister Rita bought each child a gift. With simple costumes, she dressed them up for Christmas pageants and provided the music.
Blessed with a wonderful ability to relate gently with the residents and staff, Sr Rita taught the children about Jesus and His love. She assisted them with Sacramental preparation, Baptism, First Holy Communion and Confirmation.
She gained Government approval to be a Special Religious Instructor of denominational classes in government schools in 1992.
Rita borrowed videos, books and tapes from the Catholic Resource Centre to aid her lessons in faith instruction. She was presented with a certificate for being a Volunteer, at a Mosman Park Town Council ceremony in 2007. This was recognition for her services to the residents of Rocky Bay Village, Mosman Park over a decade or more. She actually completed more than 3 decades of voluntary service.
Rita was totally unique, fully her own person, independent, strong willed and determined. In her later years, Sr Rita was a distinctive presence at Corpus Christi Church, Mosman Park, with the parish community and in St Patrick’s Basilica, Fremantle, usually travelling there by bus.
She told the story of travelling one day by bus when a lady dropped parcels in the aisle. Rita immediately went to her aid. Some young fellows at the back called out to her ‘Hey Mother Teresa, will you sit down, we want to get home’! This was always followed by a great laugh.
As ill-health took hold, with sisters and nurses trying to plan for her daily care, Rita foiled all such plans, as was her way. Like Frank Sinatra she “Did it her Way”, even to going to God quietly in her sleep after acknowledging that “my life is in the hands of God now”.
While deeply saddened at the departure of Sr Rita, we give thanks for her witness as a dedicated Presentation Sister.
We extend sincere sympathy to her loving family who mourn her loss and are grateful to Dr Prendiville and all other medical personnel who cared for her over many years.
Rita was one who followed the maxim “the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others”. She truly “fought the good fight, ran the race and kept the faith”. Her daily prayer ended “When all life’s sorrow and strife are oér, like a child returning from distant places to seek a welcome of Heaven’s door” – may she now be welcomed at Heaven’s door.
Sr Rita Goodchild passed away on 10 June and her funeral Mass was celebrated at Cottesloe Parish St Mary Star of the Sea Church on 28 June.