Season 3, Episode 5

Title: Mar Falten, Fanny Goff!

Time: 18 minutes

Locations: Portugal Cove

Story: The Beautiful Fanny Goff

Listen:

About The Episode:

Newfoundland’s Valentine’s traditions range from playful greetings to daring card deliveries, but love on the island isn’t always lighthearted.

The story of Fanny Goff, said to be the most beautiful woman in Newfoundland, is one of romance and tragedy, proving that love can be as fleeting as winter frost.

And sometimes, love isn’t just for people but for place—like the deep connection Newfoundlanders have to the sea. But that love comes with loss, as seen in the Ocean Ranger disaster, a tragedy forever tied to Valentine’s Day, reminding us that love and sorrow often go hand in hand.

Listening Options

You can listen to the episode here or on your favourite platform.

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Credits

1. Ocean and Fog Horn, Shepardr, freesound.org, creative commons 0

2. Sad Music on Guitar, veterOK777, freesound.org, creative commons 0

Sources & Further Reading

1. The Beautiful Fanny Goff, Product of Newfoundland

2. Mar Falten: Valentine’s Day in Newfoundland, Product of Newfoundland

3. Pretty Fanny Goff, Christmas Bells, 1913

4. The Story of Fanny Goff, Book of Newfoundland, vol 2

5. George Goff, Book of Newfoundland, vol. 5.

6. Fanny Goff, Sites & Memorials, Town of Portugal Cove-St. Phillips

7. The Lover & The Liar, Christmas Review, 1897

8. Portugal Cove, Newfoundland Weekly, April 19, 1941

9. A Bit of the History of Portugal Cove, Shortis Papers vol. 3, MUN DAI

10. History Society Meeting, Evening Telegram, Nov 11, 1920.