Obituary - Anita Jane Goodman Bergman

Anita Jane (Goodman) Bergman of Daajing Giids, Haida Gwaii, died February 8, 2025, at the age of 79 years. Anita was born April 16, 1945, in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, the oldest of five children born to Arthur and Charlotte (Johnson) Goodman. She graduated from Davenport West High School in Iowa in 1963. As the oldest, Anita kept her obstreperous siblings in line, and enjoyed playing the flute in the high school orchestra and band. 

Upon graduation, she attended the State University of Iowa, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in 1968, and meeting her husband, Joe, along the way. After marrying in 1968, Anita emigrated to Saskatchewan. She completed a Master of Arts in Psychology at the University of Regina in 1973, proudly gaining Canadian citizenship in 1974. 

 Wilderness canoeing became a lifelong passion for Anita, beginning in the Boundary Waters (Quetico), with her beloved Joe, from the time they met. They sometimes included Anita’s younger brothers in their adventures, who would remark how formative these experiences had been, as they later were for her children. In 1974, Anita and Joe, along with their 5-year-old daughter, spent two months living in northern Saskatchewan at a base camp they established in the Deep Bay meteor crater on Reindeer Lake.

 Eventually, settling into life in Balgonie, Saskatchewan, Anita helped create, and remained dedicated to, her work as a psychologist with SCEP (Socialization, Education and Communication Program), using innovative therapeutic techniques to help many children and families spanning four decades. In the words of her friends and colleagues, “Her perpetual optimism, encouragement, and support to others was always abundant.“ And, “She was SCEP’s “Mother Earth.“

Anita also became an accomplished potter, studying with many well respected Saskatchewan artists, at the university extension studio in the basement of the historic brick building in downtown Regina, and building the successful Sun Pottery. Her wares were sold, gifted and donated throughout Saskatchewan, and around the world, although Regina’s Bazaart was always her favorite annual arts event. Anita spent the long summer evenings gardening with Joe, sharing the fruits of their labours with many friends and community members. In 1982, they moved to a small acreage outside of Lumsden, Saskatchewan, where they expanded their already massive garden to over an acre, growing much of their food. 

 Anita acted on her passion for social action by running for political office, sitting in the provincial legislature for the Saskatchewan Liberal Party in 1994-1995, representing the electoral district of Regina North West. When their children fledged, Joe and Anita continued their annual paddling expeditions “into the bush,” with a favorite camp they repeatedly returned to on Davin Lake. Anita’s later years were spent with Joe in their last home west of Beaver Mines, Alberta, nestled against the dramatic Table Mountain, “her mountain” as she called it from a distance. The nature and beauty that surrounded them buoyed her to the end. 

 When Joe passed in 2021, Anita moved to Haida Gwaii to live with her daughter, Carey. She was cared for in the Haida Gwaii Health Centre long term care unit for her last two years. We gratefully acknowledge Anita’s caregivers, with a special thanks to Nina, and to the team at the Haida Gwaii Hospital. We deeply appreciate you. 

Anita is survived by her daughter, Carey (partner Caroline), and son, Noah, as well as siblings Mary (Tony), John (Cindy), Beth (Paul) and Gary; niece Jessica, and nephews Tyler, Patrick, Marcus, Jefferson, and Benjamin, and many dear friends. Anita was predeceased by her parents, Charlotte and Arthur Goodman, daughter Irene Louise, and nephews Glenn Hallowell and John Goodman. The family suggests that remembrances of Anita be made to a charity of your choice, or to SCEP Centre, in Regina, Saskatchewan.