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Ursula Goeres

Image by Nick Andréka

URSULA BINGHAM GOERES

September 14, 1953 - September 11, 2020

With great sadness we announce the death of Ursula, who passed away on September 11, 2020 in her home, surrounded by her family, at the age of 66.

 

Ursula is survived by her children, Erin Goeres, DPhil (Rob), Patrick Goeres, MD, and Caitlin Goeres, DVM (Chris), as well as her grandchildren, Rosa and Polly.


Ursula was born in Russell, MB, the only child of Margaret and Roy Hassett. She lived on the family farm until the age of 12, when the family moved into town so Ursula could attend Russell High School. Aged 16, Ursula moved to Winnipeg to study at the University of Manitoba, graduating with an LLB in 1976.


Ursula articled with Walsh Micay, studying under Harry Walsh QC and Greg Brodsky QC. She practiced with Walsh Micay for a few years before moving to a solicitor position with the Legal Services Department at the City of Winnipeg. She was appointed City Solicitor in 1995, retiring in 2008. After working for the Nature Conservancy of Canada, she returned to private practice with Brodsky & Co in 2011.


Outside of work, Ursula spent much of her time exploring Manitoba’s parks, lakes, and other wild spaces. She was an active member of the Manitoba Orienteering Association, attending events from Grand Beach to Spruce Woods, and throughout Canada. Closer to home, she could often be found walking, cross-country skiing or snowshoeing through Assiniboine Park, one of her favourite places in the city. She was a keen gardener and lover of animals, sharing her home with many special cats and rabbits over the years.


Ursula and her family also spent many summer holidays driving across Canada and the United States. Later in life she enjoyed travelling with her children all over the world: some of her favourite trips were to France and Italy with Erin, Washington state with Patrick, and Mexico with Caitlin. She loved visiting her kids and grandkids in the UK, Alberta, and Illinois, and even embarked, in 2017, on a solo trip to China. 


Ursula was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2017 and lived bravely with the disease for three years. Special thanks to her friends for their love and support during that time, and special thanks also to the staff at Victoria Hospital, CancerCare Manitoba, and the WRHA Palliative Care Program. 

 

Ursula’s family kindly requests that all of her friends and relatives take a few minutes to honour her memory by watching the photo-biography above. They also encourage the sharing of photos, memories, and stories by making use of the comment section on this page.


In accordance with her wishes, cremation has taken place and her children will host a memorial at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Assiniboine Park Conservancy or to Orienteering Canada.

ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

530 St. Mary Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

Memories, Stories and Condolences

 

Please share a story, photo, memory or condolence for the family by completing the form below and clicking "Post Comment"

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John Milanese

December 23, 2021 at 9:26 PM

    I only knew Ursula for a short time, compared to most of the people in her life, but her impact on my life was very significant. I liked her from the moment we met. She was kind and thoughtful, very smart, and perpetually optimistic. She had a great attitude and a smile that could be both joyous and a little mischievous at the same time.     She was strong and didn’t let her illness slow her down and I am grateful for the time we had together, exploring the city and just hanging out.      I came to know just how proud she was of her children and how she so enjoyed spending time with them and her granddaughters. She also had a place in her heart for all the animals in her life.      She was always generous with her time and willingness to help with any problem.      I miss her dearly.      A special person indeed. 

Jesse

January 4, 2021 at 3:59 PM

Honestly so sad to hear this she helped me since a kid “legally” she was always so nice and loving rip :( 

Jane Dick

October 2, 2020 at 7:20 PM

My deepest condolences to all Ursula's family for your great loss. Ursula was a beautiful person; it was a joy to know her. We met as colleagues at the City, but I also had the great pleasure of spending social time with her at friends' homes and at the Rady Centre. We had planned a couple of outings together that illness and then Covid-19 prevented. Working with Ursula was a privilege; I admired her enormously. Her professionalism, her kindness, her wisdom, her supportiveness of colleagues were extraordinary, second to no one. Socially, being with Ursula was always a delight -- a real day-brightener. She had such enthusiasm for life, such generous love for her family, and such grace in her manner and all her interactions. I am deeply saddened that we have lost her far too soon, but grateful to have had the blessing of knowing her. I will remember her always with great fondness.

Andrea

September 30, 2020 at 10:42 AM

Whenever I saw Ursula she always had a smile on her face and such kindness in her eyes - Although I didn't know that well, I enjoyed seeing her and hearing her laugh - ❤

Stan Tataryn

September 19, 2020 at 9:38 PM

I dealt with Ursula proffesionally as an administrative Police Officer. What a kind, caring and empathetic person. I am saddened.

Harold Dick

September 19, 2020 at 8:21 PM

Ursula was a trailblazer - the first female City Solicitor in Winnipeg. But my experience of her was less historic and more personal. Ursula hired me to work at the City’s Legal Services in 2000. She was a wonderful boss - always supportive and encouraging.  She helped me find my legs at the City in innumerable ways.  I remember her efforts to build a sense of community among our staff - notably by introducing us to orienteering. We kept in touch after she left. I experienced her as someone who genuinely cared about what was happening in my life even when she was experiencing the pain and anxiety of dealing with cancer. I was touched when she attended my dad’s funeral last year. It was a privilege to have Ursula as my manager, mentor and friend. 

Jae Eadie

September 19, 2020 at 6:47 PM

Very saddened to learn of Ursula's untimely passing.  I enjoyed working with Ursula during my time with Winnipeg's municipal government.  Sincere condolences to her family in their time of loss and sorry.     

Leslie King

September 19, 2020 at 10:00 AM

I had the great pleasure of working with Ursula at the City of Winnipeg for 25++ years. During that time, in addition to the many City projects we worked on together, we also shared many experiences raising our children.  Ursula and I would see one another at the office and then, several hours later, be sitting together in the bleachers for a SJR or BH event, soccer or hockey game. Ursula was smart, accomplished, personable and a justifiably proud mother. We last connected just before Xmas and had agreed to get together for lunch this past spring after we both got back from winter holidays. The pandemic and Ursula's declining health scuttled that plan.  So sad she has passed and my thoughts go out to all her family.    Leslie King

Mildred Bedard

September 19, 2020 at 9:04 AM

i had the pleasure of  teaching Ursula in her first grade at Brightside School. Rest in Peace Dear. Mildred Bedard (Jacob)

Kerry Montgomery

September 19, 2020 at 8:57 AM

I was saddened to read of your mom’s passing. Thinking of you and your families Erin and Caitlyn. Kerry Montgomery Gr.1 B.H. ❤

Reine-Marie G.

September 18, 2020 at 4:37 PM

I met Ursula when I started orienteering in 2013. I was always impressed by her energy and kindness. I will always remind her as a model of strength, kindness and perseverance. I feel lucky to have known her. Eric and my sister Clémence wish to join me to send her family our condoleances. Rest in peace Ursula.

Gail Stephens

September 18, 2020 at 7:48 AM

So sorry to hear of the passing of Ursula.  I was Chief Administrative Officer for Winnipeg for 5 years and always appreciated her professionalism and sound advice.  My thoughts are with her family. ❤

Marion Owen

September 16, 2020 at 10:31 PM

So sorry to hear this. I will miss meeting Ursula at Orienteering events. My condolences to you all.

Pam L

September 16, 2020 at 8:56 PM

I was privileged to call Ursula my friend.  In my experience, I have to say she had to be one of the best people on the planet!  Ethical, thoughtful, wise, practical, comassionate. kind, tactful.... we will have to do the best we can without her guidance, but we have her example.to follow.  Erin, Caitlin and Patrick - my heart breaks for you but how lucky you were to have such an amazing mother who loved you deeply and was so proud of you. :) I will miss her deeply too.. but how lucky I am too, to have known her....with deepest sympathy... xox❤❤❤ Pam L

Pat Dahlgren

September 16, 2020 at 7:56 PM

With Deepest Sympathy. This brings a Prayer that God above will comfort you with his Love, And the strength  of your belief help guide you through this time. love and hugs Auntie Rose Poh, Cousins-Don and Family, Pat and Family, Gerald and Family, Joan and Family.

Adam K

September 16, 2020 at 9:55 AM

So sorry to hear of Ursula’s passing. Ever warm and kind, her strength of character will be greatly missed.

Patricia G.

September 15, 2020 at 5:40 PM

I will miss Ursula tremendously.  Such a force.  To me, she was a woman who wanted to live.  Who wanted to enjoy her home and friends, the outdoors.  Who wanted to watch her grandchildren grow and mostly, a woman who wanted to have more adventures with her children.  Rest in peace my friend.

Fran Schmidt

September 15, 2020 at 5:27 PM

So sorry to hear this.  My condolences to all of you.
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Ethical Death Care (Death Care Services Inc.) is privately, independently, and locally owned. Shane Neufeld and the original team of Integrity Death Care own and manage this organisation.

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