“You can be whatever you want to be in life.” It was the advice from her hero, her grandfather, which Louise Gooch has embodied throughout her life. With more than one lifetime of achievements under her belt, Dr. Gooch is proving that regardless of age, you can truly be whatever you want to be.
After 31 years of nursing and teaching, Dr. Gooch retired in 2001 as nursing director/instructor at Durham Tech. Teaching came early to Dr. Gooch. As a child, she would sit her grandmother and grandfather down to “teach” them; the passion clearly never left. Now she is teaching a different subject in a very different capacity. She is teaching seniors how aging is done…with vibrance and grace.
Louise Gooch received the prestigious 2016 Humana Game Changes’s Award for her involvement in the N.C. Senior Games and the promotion of healthy living.
Following retirement, Louise needed to fill her time so she began volunteering at her local YMCA. “It’s an addictive type of organization” is how she describes it. Her volunteer work led her to become the YMCA’s ambassador for Senior Games; however, her world came to a screeching halt when she went to the doctor for a routine check-up. Since she was over 55, she had a colonoscopy. She learned she had cancer although she had no symptoms. After half of her colon was removed, she had complications which required 20 days in the hospital and six months in chemotherapy.
Today Louise can say she is cancer free and has been for 15 years; however, she has used this experience to teach others the importance of early detection and screenings. Proving that no matter what life throws your way, it’s in the way you handle it that makes the difference.
Having defeated cancer, Louise realized she had received a blessed second chance at living and decided to do something with it. In 2004, she posted a sign-up sheet seeking volunteers for a cheerleading team. “I thought no one would be interested, but nine ladies signed up immediately!” she says.
Their practice sessions gained the attention of members. The next thing she knew, the Y director offered to sponsor the team, paying for all of its supplies. When the 14 ladies were joined by a gentleman, they became the Durham Senior Divas and Dude. Then the invitations started coming, inviting them to perform everywhere from the opening of Duke University’s DPAC to school events, parades, and much more. This spring you can check them out at the Senior Games where the Durham Senior Divas and Dude will be competing. The team, made up of 14 ladies and one gentleman, ranges in age from 62 to 79, showing that “Just because you’re old doesn’t mean you stop playing. You stop playing and then you grow old.”