Mary Holmes Goodall Ramsey saved more than just the GIANT sequoia. She pleaded with the owner of the property where 7-Eleven is (across from the Sequoia on A avenue) not to remove two flowering pink cherry trees and the magnolia when he was planning the construction of his building. The owner
heard Mary’s message and planned his 7-Eleven store accordingly.
In another effort, officials of the Benjamin Franklin Savings and Loan were building their office on the south side of 5th and A Avenue, they fought to save a tall fir out front but were not successful. Benjamin Franklin decision-makers sought out Goodall for recommendations to replace the large fir as the landscaping looked awkward without it. She suggested planting magnolias. They liked the idea. Mary Goodall planted the very first one at the dedication.
Even the trees on the south side of Country Club Road near Lake Oswego High School are linked to Mary Goodall. LOHS junior class of 1965 solicited ideas for a class project from her: she suggested planting Sargent cherry trees, which she ordered and the students planted them.
Student Bret Stafford wrote Goodall: “On behalf of the junior class of 1965, we wish to thank you for all the time and suggestions you generously provided during the preparation for the planting of the cherry trees.
Without your aid, I believe the mass of red tape would have seemed endless and would have obliterated the final goal. The class enthusiasm for your project was amazing… With so many people involved the work seems to seem like work and we all appreciated that those spindly twigs we were planting would become beautiful blossoming trees which will add a little beauty to the lives of the future. “
Elected to the Lake Oswego City Council in 1964, Goodall spent most of her tenure advocating for the passage of a tree ordinance to “stop wanton cutting”. To her credit, an ordinance was passed.
Goodall offered advice to many about keeping trees alive and saw to the planting of of them as well. She supported a group that protected Tryon Creek State Park.
Members of the Junior Historical Society, which Goodall helped start, told her they wanted to plant trees to attract birds as one of the group’s projects. Oswego Heritage Council members, plus other volunteers, planted Columbia Queen mountain ash in front of Oswego Pioneer Cemetery and city golf course on Stafford Road per Mary’s suggestion.