"Whistler’s Nana," Lil Goldsmid, was named Citizen of the Year at Wednesday’s chamber of commerce luncheon.
Goldsmid, a volunteer in the Whistler valley for 35 years, was on Whistler Mountain as an ambassador on opening day in 1966.
"She’s organized the ski swap, she’s organized all kinds of golf tournaments, she’s been a volunteer ambassador, and she’s been one of the top volunteers at the Re-use-it centre since it opened," said Eileen Tomalty.
Goldsmid has been reading to students at Myrtle Philip school for years, and it was the students who named her "Nana of Whistler."
Last year’s Citizen of the Year, Bob Calladine, presented Goldsmid with the award during the chamber’s luncheon at the Garibaldi Lift Co.
"I’m just happy to be alive, to get up every day and to be on this side of the sod," Goldsmid said when presented with the award.
When she returned to her table she told her husband Howard to buy her a drink to celebrate.
"She’s a woman of action and has a huge heart," Tomalty said in listing Goldsmid’s other volunteer work, which includes helping out at the Whistler Community Services Society’s food bank, assisting the Museum and Archives Society, and collecting golf balls to sell for children’s charities.
"She’ll roll up her sleeves and cook a meal for anyone, anytime," said Tomalty.
Goldsmid also shares her knowledge of gardening, birds and golf with others.
"Her memory is phenomenal," said Tomalty.
The Goldsmid family’s roots in Whistler and in ski racing run deep. Son Bruce was one of Canada’s top ski racers in the early ’70s and has been head of Alpine B.C. for years. The entire Goldsmid family has helped out with numerous ski races over the years.
All the previous winners of the Whistler Citizen of the Year Award were at the GLC for Wednesday’s luncheon.
