The artist Marie Goodenough, a prolific painter and sculptor celebrated for her original and humorous outlook, has died at the age of 90.
A Creative Life Shaped by Imagination
Born in York, Marie was the only child of Selina and George Goodenough, a locomotive guard. She described a largely solitary childhood, often found reading on the stairs, which fostered a vivid imagination and a lifelong love of literature. This early period instilled in her a strong work ethic and discipline, alongside an outspoken yet sociable nature and a deep sense of social justice, particularly regarding children.
Her artistic journey began at Mill Mount grammar school and truly flourished at Edinburgh College of Art, where she discovered her vocation. Her talent was recognised with numerous prizes, culminating in a major postgraduate travel award in 1958. This grant funded a year-long trip around Greece with her new husband, Bert Wraith, a metallurgist she met while both were working as students at a York Post Office.
Artistic Career and Notable Works
Returning to the UK, the couple settled in Newcastle upon Tyne. After teaching stints at Bishop Auckland College and Newcastle Polytechnic in the late 1950s, Marie paused her career to raise her family. She later fostered children and, in 1972, the family moved to Warkworth, Northumberland.
Her artistic output was diverse, focusing on natural forms, horses, and Shakespeare. She was primarily a sculptor, working masterfully in wood, papier-mache, fibreglass, and metal. Her witty perspective shone through in pieces like Boris Godunov, a playful pun purchased by the Andrew Duncan Clinic in Edinburgh, and Newspaperman, a tribute to critic Edward Gage crafted from copies of the Scotsman and exhibited at the Royal Glasgow Institute.
Marie exhibited widely at prestigious venues including the Royal Scottish Academy and London's John Whibley Gallery. Her accolades included the RSA Ottilie Helen Wallace prize, and she was a member of the Scottish Society of Women Artists and the Society of Botanical Artists.
Community Spirit and Later Years
Her creativity extended into vibrant community projects. These included a Christmas Eve nativity show featuring 12 lifesize puppets and a charming sculpture of escaped sheep queueing at a village bus stop. In 1989, she exhibited in Voerde, West Germany, and marked the millennium with collaborative sculpture and book projects involving local schoolchildren.
Beyond her art, Marie was an accomplished plantswoman, an excellent cook, and had keen interests in music, history, and film. She and Bert moved to Exeter in 2007 to be near their daughter. Marie was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2013, and Bert died in 2025 from Parkinson’s. The devoted couple remained together at home until their deaths.
Marie Goodenough is survived by her daughters, Louise and the author of the original obituary, and her grandchildren, Kristen, Logan, Nathaniel, and Sadie.
