In Memory of Margaret Linda Goddard
(1954-2007)

So many people have expressed sadness over the loss of Margaret and shared their memories about her as a warm, caring and reassuring person, as well as her skills as a clinician, that we felt that we would like to join you in paying tribute to her life and work as a veterinary surgeon at Endell Veterinary Group.

Margaret Goddard was a small animal veterinary surgeon at Endell Veterinary Group from 1980 (when it was known as Grater and Partners) until 2004. She was diagnosed with the primary progressive form of Multiple Sclerosis in 1998, but took this in her stride and continued to practise. By 2004, increasing disability from MS was beginning to take its toll, but it was severe back pain and the need for urgent spinal surgery that led to enforced early retirement from her much-loved profession.

Margaret, who was born and brought up in Buckinghamshire, qualified as a veterinary surgeon at Bristol University in 1977. She joined a busy practice in Hampshire, where for three years she gained valuable post-qualification experience and was then ready to take up a long term position. Margaret moved to Salisbury and became the third small animal vet, alongside Gerry Humphreys and Lynne Worwood. Here she was completely fulfilled and greatly appreciated by clients as a compassionate and caring vet.

She appeared in Channel 5’s series “Animal ER” (filmed at Endells), and broadcast regularly on local radio for Spire FM. She was the perfect mentor for vet students and newly qualified vets, inspiring them with her enthusiasm and high professional standards, and indeed she made a profound and lasting impression on many.

Although the spinal surgery was successful, the MS continued to worsen, and in December 2006 Margaret suffered a devastating, near-fatal attack. The course of her MS was highly unusual and could not be explained by any of the neurologists she saw. She returned home after a difficult five week stay in hospital. Her strength, courage and good humour over the next seven months were an inspiration to all who witnessed it.

Margaret was an enthusiast for wildlife and the natural environment and loved to watch birds in particular. Even after being diagnosed with MS, she travelled extensively with her husband Tony to see birds in wild and beautiful places. In her latter years, even though dependent on a wheelchair, she visited Ecuador, Costa Rica, the Canary Islands and California. Her best ever wildlife holiday came in 2006, when on a safari to Kenya she saw over 400 species of birds and 50 mammals, including the big cats.

Events in August this year led to a final admission to Salisbury District Hospital, where for a time she continued to defy medical expectations. Margaret died very peacefully on 25 August. Her funeral took place on 5 September at Charlton-All-Saints Church, when tributes were paid by friends and colleagues. Such was the affection in which she was held that the village church could not hold all 300 who attended. Those unable to get into the church were able to hear the service through loudspeakers placed outside.

Margaret is survived by her husband Tony, mother Lydia, brother Thomas and beloved nephews and niece Adam, Alasdair and Ginny.

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The following poem was read at Margaret’s funeral service and we feel it sums up her life and achievements perfectly.

You can shed tears that she is gone,
or you can smile because she has lived.

You can close your eyes and pray that she’ll come back,
or you can open your eyes and see all she’s left behind.

Your heart can be empty because you can’t see her,
or you can be full of the love you shared.

You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday,
or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.

You can remember her and only that she’s gone,
or you can cherish her memory and let it live on.

You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back,
or you can do what she’d want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.