A Visionary Violet

On Oct. 3, 2019, Eunice Erb Goodan ’43, passed away at the age of 94. While it is always sad when a member of the Marlborough community leaves us, her impact will continue in perpetuity thanks to her generous gift of $9 million to the school’s endowment. This incredible bequest will be transformational for the school and its students.

Eunice’s connections to Marlborough ran deep. Her mother, Highland Erb, graduated in 1917; sister-in-law Jean Goodan Barclay was also a member of the class of 1943; and her daughter Sarah Goodan graduated from Marlborough in 1971. Her care, compassion, and dedication extended across the many communities she touched throughout Los Angeles.

In addition to serving on Marlborough’s Alumnae Council, Eunice was a member of the board of trustees and served as board president from 1986 to 1988. She was also a long-time docent at the Los Angeles Museum of Natural History, helped develop the Junior Arts Center at Barnsdall Park, and served on the board of overseers and as governor emeritus at the Huntington Library.

Marlborough is honored to be among four other esteemed institutions to which Eunice made bequests: Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, CalTech, Huntington Library, and Stanford.

Throughout her lifetime, Eunice gave generously to Marlborough’s annual fund and capital projects, demonstrating her commitment to the school, her belief in its students, and her desire for it to always, as she said, “be the best school it can be.” Eunice designated her final gift to the school to support capital needs, ensuring the ongoing upkeep of the Marlborough campus.

“We will forever hold Eunice’s words and generosity—both in service and in philanthropy—as an inspiration for our work.”
—Dr. Priscilla Sands

Contact Christabel L. Estrada at 323.964.8437, Ext. 437 or christabel.estrada@marlborough.org to learn how you can leave a legacy at Marlborough.