Deborah Gooden: In memory of her smile

Deborah Gooden -- in memory of her smile

Deborah Gooden died on September 7, 2021, leaving us with her smile, her love of family and friends, and of all things bright and beautiful.

Deborah had many friends who will each remember her in their own special way. We invite you to join us in remembering Deborah with playground art that will brighten Greenbridge and bring cheer to many in the years to come. Please feel free to participate in whatever way you would like.

We wanted to honor her memory with some of the art that meant so much to her. After walking around Greenbridge on the day of her memorial service, we came across an umbrella made of bronze and a whimsical display of raindrops with words about water and its paths through the world. These artists seemed like the right people -- they had worked with Deborah to create the art for different places in Greenbridge, and could capture her heart and laughter.

Judith and Daniel Caldwell of Caldwell Sculpture Studios have been happy to work with us. After weeks of listening to her family and friends describe Deborah's spirit, and of looking at the art that she created and collected, Judith was struck most by a photo from Deborah's retirement party from King County Housing Authority. Everyone in the picture wore a hat created by Deborah's husband Lance.

Judith imagined Lance's hats cast in bronze, and colored with Deborah's favorite shades and patterns. She is using Deborah's images from a book created for her granddaughter, and from coloring books gifted by the Carns family. The first hat is shown above. The nineteen hats will be displayed along a low wall that edges a playground at Greenbridge. A path leading to the area is now named "Gooden Way," and soon will have a bench dedicated to Deborah where people can sit to enjoy the view or watch the children play.

What is your contribution going toward? Each hat costs between about $200 and $750 depending on the size. The project is currently budgeted for casting 19 party hats, and their installation. The money collected through this GoFundMe will go towards the artistry and labor involved in crafting and installing each hat. Please participate in whatever way you would like! Sharing this fundraiser, contributing financially, telling us one of your favorite stories about Deborah, visiting the installation at Greenbridge (we can send you the adress) -- there are so many ways to join us in sharing our love and memories of Deborah's smile and creativity.

Please contact Teri Carns at [email redacted] with any questions that you might have about this GoFundMe, or about the artwork.