Verda Gould

This week has been a difficult one for the bridge world.  A few days ago, we lost our friend Cecil Frank.  Yesterday, national champions Marshall Miles and Ira Rubin died. 

So did Verda Gould.

Verda never won a national championship.  Nevertheless, in every way that matters, Verda was a champion in our community.  Tireless volunteer, trainer of caddies, tournament organizer, board member, District 14 president - Verda was all this.  And, of course, she was also a passionate competitor and friend.

Verda and her caddies

Two of Verda's friends and fellow volunteers in the bridge world, Patti Stuhlman and Sharon Anderson, generously provided some thoughts about Verda and her contributions to bridge. 

President Verda Gould and Secretary Sharon Anderson at a District 14 Board Meeting

Thank you, Patti and Sharon.  And thank you, Verda.  You have made your mark on bridge in Minnesota in so many wonderful and special ways.

Verda's obituary in the Star Tribune can be viewed here.

Verda and caddies at Gopher 2012

 

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Comments

[Steven Gaynor]

Verda was the type of person who would do whatever it took to get a job done. If she accepted a duty it would be finished on time and without any need for you to follow up. She was the sitting President of District 14 of the ACBL and was a former member and vice-president of the Unit 178 board of directors. She worked on many local tournaments and would volunteer to be a fill-in at those events so there would not be a ½ table. She would play with anyone regardless of their experience level. She also chaired several of those events. She was active on the Minneapolis Aquatennial Committee and recruited members of that group to be caddy’s at our bridge tournaments. They would donate their earnings back to the Aquatennial Committee.

Verda overcame a lot of obstacles in her life, raised five children, and was an active and important member of our bridge community right up to the end.

[Mike Cassel]

Saying goodbye to Verda last week was unexpectedly unnerving. We've all had days when we lack focus and concentration. I played like a 'schnook' last Friday. Couldn't focus either at the table or at the postmortem.
Then I realized that I was losing a 'parent'.
We love you Verda. All your slams will be grand now.