Lyn Goldman, pillar of Regina arts and broadcasting, dies

Lyn Goldman, a 75-year pillar of Regina Little Theatre and a trailblazer for women in broadcasting, has died. Wayne Mantyka has more.

Lyn Goldman, a lifelong champion of Regina’s arts community and a pioneer for women in broadcasting, has died.

Goldman first appeared on the Regina Little Theatre stage in 1948 at just 15 years old, beginning a relationship with the organization that spanned more than 75 years. Over that time, she served in nearly every role imaginable, from actor and director to administrator, fundraiser and president.

“You name it, she did it,” said Regina Little Theatre president John Chaput. “She was an actor, she was a director, she was an administrator, she was president, fundraiser. She did just everything.”

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Beyond the theatre, Goldman helped break barriers for women in media. In the 1950s, she became one of the early employees at CKCK Television, working alongside Jean Freeman and Carol Gay Bell at a time when women were rarely welcomed in broadcasting.

“It wasn’t the greatest time for women in broadcasting,” Bell said. “The three of us fought our way up, and I think we cleared the way for the women of today.”

Goldman later joined the University of Regina, where she led communications and later the Certificates Program. She was also an early donor to the Darke Hall Restoration Campaign, reflecting her long-standing belief in the importance of arts and education to a city’s identity.

“A city without a theatre and a college is a backwater,” Goldman said in a 2019 interview.

Her contributions were widely recognized. Goldman received an honorary doctor of laws degree from the University of Regina and was awarded the Saskatchewan Order of Merit.

“She loved Regina and Saskatchewan, and she did whatever she could to make sure it was a great place to live,” Bell said.

Goldman’s support for the arts continued until the end of her life. Just last week, she established an award at the MacKenzie Art Gallery in memory of her brother, aimed at supporting mid-career artists and exhibitions.