Coworkers Devastated Over Flood Victim's Presumed Death
LOVELAND, Colo. (CBS4) - Eight people are confirmed dead in the floods and only one person is still missing. Authorities believe Patricia Goodwine died when the high water rushed down the Big Thompson Canyon.
Goodwine had worked at the Loveland Public Library for the last 34 years and her coworkers are devastated.
"She just was a fun person, loved everybody, loved living up the canyon," Goodwine's boss Marsha Lewis said.
Goodwine is now the only person to be presumed dead in the flood waters of Larimer County. She lived in a home she loved in Cedar Cove on the Big Thompson River. When the flood waters started to rise her library family checked up on her.
"She had just gotten a reverse 911 call, but I called her too and wanted to reiterate," Lewis said. "She said, 'Well the road was already hard to get over.' And the last thing I said was, 'Okay, get as high as you can.' "
Goodwine battled multiple sclerosis and was still inside her home when it washed down the canyon. Her body has not been found.
"We've tried to have somewhat normalcy," Lewis said.
Coworkers said Goodwine was always cracking jokes and wearing a smile, and a little splash of red.
"If you wore black and white you need a splash of red. She often had more than a splash," Lewis said. "We know each other very well and it' going to be tough to replace her. She was everyone's mom."
In honor of Goodwine the Loveland Public Library will close on Friday so all of her coworkers and friends can attend her memorial service at the First Christian Church in Loveland at 10 a.m.
Colorado Floods: How To Help
The recent floods are impacting families and communities throughout Colorado, so CBS4 has compiled a list of ways you can support the local communities impacted by the floods.
