Celebrating the life of Elizabeth Gobern

Mother to AFL-CIO Sr. Southern Field Rep, Isaac, dead at 74

Our friend and colleague, Isaac Gobern, lost his mother to diabetes last month. Elizabeth Gobern, 74, died at her home in New Hill, NC, surrounded by family.

Liz Gobern lived an active, loving, giving, and independent life. She was born in Duplin County but moved to Raleigh with her mother as a child, where she went to St. Monica's Catholic school. After graduating high school early, Liz moved to Providence, Rhode Island to pursue a career in nursing. There she worked at St. Joseph Hospital and Providence Health Center before retiring later in life from Portsmouth Naval Hospital in Virginia.

In retirement, Mother Gobern continued her community service, volunteering for ten years as the AIDS relief and community resource person at the Basilica of St. Mary’s in Norfolk, VA.  She was civil and human rights activist who traveled frequently to support her friends and family. She engraved the importance of education and opportunity on her six children.

In honor of their mother's life as an activist and in recognition of the devastating disease which took her life - diabetes affects 26 million other Americans - the Gobern family have come up with a novel way to memorialize their mother by joining the Tour de Cure of the American Diabetes Association.

The Tour de Cure is a series of fundraising cycling events held in 44 states nationwide to benefit the American Diabetes Association. The Gobern family have formed a team, the Block Islanders, and set a goal to raise $2,500 for the ADA during the Cary, NC ride, which will be held June 2nd and 3rd.

Click here to make a gift to the Cary, NC Tour de Cure on behalf of Isaac Gobern.

For more information about how you can support the Block Islanders - either by sponsoring a member of the Gobern family or by registering to join the team for the ride itself - contact the team captain and Isaac's brother, Ivan, at [email protected] or by phone 916-715-8105.