Tributes paid to popular Cork community champion Phil Goodman

An outpouring of tributes have been paid following the death of prominent Cork community activist, Phil Goodman.

Ms Goodman, who founded the Douglas Young at Heart group in 2001, passed away in the early hours of Tuesday morning following a short illness.

Recognised for her trojan work with the older community, Ms Goodman has been honoured with many accolades throughout her career, including the Cork Person of the Month Award, Cork County Mayor’s Award, Cork Learning Cities Award, The Pride of Cork Award, and the overall award at the Lord Mayor’s Community & Voluntary Awards in 2023.

During her time with Young at Heart, Phil provided a range of supports to vulnerable people, ranging from delivering food parcels to clients across Douglas village and its environs, to setting up the Care-Ring initiative, which saw volunteers contact older people over the phone for a chat.

The Young at Heart group started as a grassroots initiative with the aim of alleviating loneliness amongst the older community in Douglas.

Throughout the years, the group steadily expanded, now catering to more than 300 members.

In addition to providing in-home support, Phil championed the idea of encouraging older people to stay active in their community, facilitating numerous events and activities through the Young at Heart group, including Tai Chi, knitting, and computer skills classes.

Speaking to The Echo, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said that Ms Goodman was “one of a kind”.

“I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Phil Goodman,” said Mr Martin.

“Phil was an extraordinary woman - she was a fierce and passionate advocate for senior citizens, setting up Young At Heart over 25 years ago to provide wonderful opportunities to older people across Douglas and Cork.

“The importance of Young at Heart’s work came to the forefront during the pandemic, delivering food parcels to those in need and addressing social isolation of the elderly through its Care-Ring service.

“Phil was one of a kind - she personified community spirit and represented the very best of Cork City.

“I knew her well, and her tremendous energy was infectious.

“My deepest sympathies to Phil’s children - John, Ken, Elaine and Niall - and her many friends at this difficult time.” 

Mary Swanton, who is the chairperson of Douglas Young at Heart, said that Ms Goodman will be “sadly missed” by all those who knew her.

“It is with deep sadness and regret that Douglas Young at Heart pay tribute to their founding member, friend and leader Phil Goodman,” said Ms Swanton.

“Phil grew the organisation into the essential service it is today promoting health, well-being and a positive attitude to life.

“Phil had a gift for making people feel seen and welcomed, and she took time to get to know people.

“To say that Phil will be sadly missed by her family, friends, neighbours and colleagues is an understatement.

“Phil was dedicated to her community in Douglas and we are all better for having known Phil and her can-do attitude.”

Fine Gael Cork South Central TD, Jerry Buttimer said that the community of Cork as a whole was “enriched” to have Ms Goodman, who selflessly dedicated her time to serving the needs of others.

“Cork has lost a wonderful woman with the sad passing of Phil Goodman,” said Mr Buttimer.

“Phil epitomised kindness - she had the warmest of hearts, as we saw every week through Douglas Young at Heart.

““She was a woman of ambition - over the years she practiced friendship by being a great friend to many.

“Our city and the Douglas community was enriched by the sheer strength of her advocacy and her commitment to people.

“It’s been a privilege to have known Phil since 1992 and to count her as a friend,” he added.

“Her legacy is huge and to say that she will be missed is an understatement.

“My deepest condolences and sympathies to her family.” 

Independent councillor for the Cork City South East ward, Kieran McCarthy said that Ms Goodman was “truly inspiring”.

“Phil was a close and caring friend to many,” said Mr McCarthy.

“She was my friend and our chats over many years were always about her next idea and how excited she was to create another community project.

“She had an unstoppable drive - with Douglas Young at Heart, it allowed her to make her ideas a reality.

“She assembled a group of people whose heartful drive is always one to admire.

“Phil’s energy and enthusiasm in everything she did was truly inspiring.

“She was a true champion of community life, of empathy but also living life against the odds.

“Anyone Phil came in contact with, her motto of Young at Heart inspired them.

“I firmly believe she saved so many souls, hearts and minds,” he added.

“Phil championed the goodness of humanity - she leaves an enormous legacy in what we call home.

“We will miss you and remember you always Phil – my sincere condolences to all her family and friends.” 

Former Fine Gael councillor and Lord Mayor of Cork, Deirdre Forde said that Ms Goodman’s legacy “won’t be forgotten”.

“Phil’s passing is a big loss, not alone to her family and her beloved Young at Heart members, but to our Douglas community as a whole,” said Ms Forde.

“She worked tirelessly for the good of others.

“May she now rest in the peace she so truly deserves.” 

Fianna Fáil councillor for the Cork City South East ward, Mary Rose Desmond said that Ms Goodman was the “definition of being young at heart”.

“I’ve known Phil for well over 10 years - I was really shocked and saddened to hear this morning of her passing,” said Ms Desmond.

“I first and foremost want to offer my sympathies to her family and friends, and certainly to her team at Young at Heart – they were a great team and did so much work day in day out for the community. 

“She was unique in her way of being able to galvanise people and motivate them to assist her when she set up Young at Heart – it started off small and it didn't take long to drive it on.

“The heart of it the whole time for Phil was ensuring that older people in the community had an avenue to stay involved and get out of their homes,” she added.

“Phil was always moving on to the next thing and she was the definition of being young at heart - she was a remarkable woman.

“It’s a magnificent service that she created – she was very in tune with how easily older people could be left behind.

“She had a big heart, and was so humble about the whole thing – she was a real big part of the fabric of the Douglas community.” 

Fianna Fáil Cork South Central TD, Seamus McGrath said that Phil’s passing will be “felt far and wide” as her kindness was expanded much farther than just the boundaries of Douglas village.

“I’m deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Phil Goodman,” said Mr McGrath.

“She has been an extraordinary volunteer and servant to her community for many decades.

“I know her passing will be felt far and wide and I want to personally pass on my deepest condolences to her family and friends,” he added.

“She has left an enormous legacy of great service to her fellow citizens and may she now rest in peace.” 

Advocate for the elderly in Cork, Paddy O’Brien said that “every parish in Cork should have a Phil Goodman.” 

“I am saddened to hear of the passing of a great and wonderful person in Douglas, Phil Goodman,” said Mr O’Brien.

“Phil will be forever remembered for her trojan work with senior citizens in the Douglas area.

“I sympathise with her family and the senior citizens of Douglas on their great loss.

“She played a very important role in the lives of those who became widows or widowers – having lost a partner, Phil would invite these people to join Young at Heart.

“I have spoken to many people who have said that Phil gave them a new life.” 

Ms Goodman, predeceased by her husband Stephen and son Conor, and survived by her children John, Ken, Niall, and Elaine, will repose at Sullivan's Funeral Home in Turner's Cross on Thursday from 5pm.

A Requiem Mass will be held on Friday at 1pm at St Columba's Church in Douglas, which will be followed by her burial at St Michael's Cemetery in Blackrock.