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Elsa and Marjorie Goodyear Bequest $1 Million to Eugene Public Library <br />Eugene sisters Elsa and Marjorie Goodyear have left a gift of $1 million to the Eugene Public Library. <br /> <br />The pair lived frugally – and invested wisely. After Elsa died at age 101 on Nov.12, 2010, four community agencies <br />were informed by local attorney Michael P. Kearney of major gifts left by the sisters (shown here as children in the <br />1920s). <br />In addition to the gift to the Library, Goodwill Industries will receive $350,000; <br />the Eugene Mission will receive $175,000; and Greenhill Humane Society will <br />receive $175,000. The news was highlighted with a front-page article in the <br />Register-Guard, and inspired an editorial on philanthropy as well. <br /> <br />The gift to the Eugene Public Library will help ensure the Library’s continued <br />quality and service far into the future, as part of the permanent endowment <br />managed by the Eugene Public Library Foundation through the Oregon <br />Community Foundation. <br /> <br />“We are all very moved by the Goodyear sisters’ dedication and generosity,” <br />said Library Director Connie Bennett. “Thousands of community members use <br />the Library every day – of all ages and interests, from all walks of life. It’s a <br />place of learning and discovery; a place to find practical information; a place to <br />connect with others; and a place to find entertainment, too. This extraordinary gift is such wonderful news for all <br />Eugeneans.” <br /> <br />Mr. Kearny, the sisters’ attorney for more than 20 years, as well as their friend, describes them as having “lived <br />modestly and happily. They didn’t feel they needed a lot for themselves. Some years ago, they became interested in <br />the stock market. Clearly, they made some great decisions. Their success as investors financed their own care into <br />old age and still left this impressive sum to support community services they believed in.” <br /> <br />Born in England, the Goodyear sisters were raised in Michigan. Artists by inclination, they made a living in retail as <br />seamstresses, milliners, and saleswomen at Detroit’s famed J.L. Hudson Company department store. They retired to <br />Eugene in 1972, where they lived with their brother, Norman, in a small house in Eugene’s Ferry Street Bridge <br />neighborhood. The sisters were well known to neighbors for their method of transportation: matching tricycles. Elsa <br />was preceded in death by her brother in 1989, and her sister in 2005. <br /> <br />For more information, please contact Eugene Public Library Customer Experience Manager LaVena Nohrenberg at <br />541-682-8314. <br /> <br /> <br />EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 2 <br />December 2, 2010 <br />