Son’s tribute to ‘legend’ who cared for thousands of patients at Scunthorpe General Hospital

A former auxiliary nurse and “living legend” who cared for thousands of patients in the 40 years she worked at Scunthorpe General Hospital has sadly died aged 84.

Cynthia ‘Cindy’ Goode passed away on New Year’s Day, leaving behind daughter Dawn, son Mark, granddaughter Emily and many friends and former colleagues who loved her.

Cindy began her nursing training in the late 1950s and worked permanent night shifts for four decades, alongside some of the now very senior consultants, registrars and older senior staff. She went on to be a “much-loved and well-respected” member of staff before eventually retiring in 1999.

Speaking to Scunthorpe Live, Cindy’s son Mark said: “My mum was a bit of a living legend at Scunthorpe General Hospital, and she was a much-loved and well-respected person, not only in ‘civvy street’ but also in her working life.

“They used to put trainees, student nurses and junior doctors alongside my mum, for them to learn “on the job” how things should be done and how people should be treated -with kindness, care, and a little bit of comedy. Hopefully she taught them well.

Cindy Goode, pictured with her granddaughter Emily
(Image: Submitted)

“She worked on many wards over the years, from medical, geriatrics as it used to be called, theatres, and terminal wards. She was also one of the nurses who volunteered to work on Scunthorpe’s first H.I.V and AIDS ward back in the early 1980s.

“My mum was a strong, no frills, no fuss kind of lady, who treated everyone the same, no matter what their status, colour, sexuality or religion. One of her biggest mottos was that we all come into this world the same, with nothing, and we all go out the same way too, so we are no different from anyone else.”

As well as her commitment to her work and caring for her patients, Cindy was “devoted” to her husband Bill – with Mark referring to his parents as the “real-life Jack and Vera Duckworth”.

The couple met in the early 1960s after Cindy fell off her bike outside a pub in Scunthorpe, with Bill coming to her rescue and giving her a lift home.

“Within six weeks of meeting they were planning to get married, the relationship just defined their lives,” Mark said.

Cindy and Bill celebrating their Golden Wedding Anniversary
(Image: Submitted)

“People used to compare them to Jack and Vera Duckworth the way they were with each other, but they were absolutely devoted to each other. Witnessing that as a kid instilled good morals in me.

“She treated everyone with the respect, helpfulness, and love she would expect in return, and used to say, ‘Treat others as you expect to be treated’. That was one of her many sayings, which also included ‘If you fall out that tree and break your leg, don’t come running to me’ – which she said to me when I climbed an apple tree in our garden.

“My mum was a true character, strong willed, strong souled, a truly loved friend to many and a loving wife of over 50 years to my dad. She was courageous, with morals unseen in today’s world and a huge heart, and a true battler until the end.

“She will be missed by all who knew her, and most would say that their lives have been that little bit better with having Cindy as a part of it.”

The couple with one of their dogs on holiday in Blackpool
(Image: Submitted)

Cindy’s funeral will take place at 11.20am on Tuesday, January 28 at Woodlands Crematorium on Brumby Wood Lane, Scunthorpe. A webcast link will be available for the live-stream of the service.

Flowers can be sent to Co-op Funeralcare at 2 Bottesford Road, Ashby, Scunthorpe DN16 3HE. Donations in Cindy’s name can also be made to SSAFA – The Armed Forces charity by clicking here or to Dogs Trust by clicking here.

Image Credits and Reference: https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/news/local-news/sons-tribute-legend-who-cared-9852441