INSPIRATION AWARD, BARBARA (BOBBIE) GOHN

May 13, 2009

Lori Greenwalt presenting the award to Bobbi Gohn	Bobbi Gohn accepting the award
Libbie Bennett Esq.(Bennett & Associates), Linda Resnick (President, CEO Resources, Inc.), Terri Gelberg Esq. (Gelberg & Associates), Dr. George Day (Professor, Wharton School, Univ Penn.), Bobbi Gohn, Lori Greenawalt (Partner, KPMG)

Barbara Gohn Day, 66, banker, traveler, activist

By Rita Giordano

Inquirer Staff Writer

Barbara Gohn Day, 66, of Bryn Mawr, a banker, world traveler, and activist in civic, cultural and women's causes, died of breast cancer Friday at Pennsylvania Hospital.

Mrs. Day - known to family and friends as "Bobbie" - was born in Philadelphia, in the same hospital where she died surrounded by loved ones. She grew up in York, Pa., and earned a bachelor's degree from Pennsylvania State University.

She had a career in banking and investment advisory services that spanned more than 20 years. She retired from Bank of America in Philadelphia as a senior vice president.

In the city, she also worked for Ashbridge Investment Management, Scudder Private Investment Counsel, Wilmington Trust Co., Mellon Bank and Provident National Bank.

Her love of travel started when she was young. Mrs. Day's daughter, Elisabeth Richard of Bethesda, Md., recalled that her mother told her of taking a trip around the world with her parents while she was in college. She was planning a trip to Antarctica, the only continent she had not visited.

"Despite a prolonged 15-plus-year fight with breast cancer, she never felt pity for herself," Richard said. "She kept working toward what she was dedicated to, with a passion."

Her passions were many. Mrs. Day served with numerous organizations, advancing her interest in the arts, women's issues, and international affairs.

Earlier this year, the Women International Leaders of Greater Philadelphia, which she co-founded, gave her their first Inspirational Award. She was a past volunteer of the year for the Girl Scouts of Southeastern Pennsylvania.

Among her other service involvements were the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Curtis School of Music, the Rock School of Ballet, Penn State, the World Affairs Council, and the Women's Investment Network. She had been president of the International Alliance for Women, a global organization for the support of professional women.

"I think that some of her most remarkable qualities were that she was strong and lived life to the fullest," her daughter said.

Besides her daughter, Mrs. Day is survived by her husband, George S.; a son, Eric E.H. Godshalk; her mother, Eleanor A. Gohn; a sister, and two grandchildren.

A memorial service is scheduled for 2 p.m. tomorrow at St. David's Episcopal Church, 763 S. Valley Forge Rd. Wayne.

Memorial donations be made to the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation, 1901 Vine St., Philadelphia 19103, to establish an endowed lecture series on women's issues or foreign relations in Mrs. Day's memory.