Joanne M Godfrey

Joanne Meehan Godfrey, wife of Edward R. Godfrey for 32 years lost her courageous battle with ALS early in the morning on Tuesday January 5th at Middlesex Hospital surrounded by her family. She was born on May 11, 1938 to the late J. Franklin Meehan and Francis Feiser Meehan and grew up in Woodsboro, Maryland. She graduated from Mary Washington College before moving to Connecticut, where she started teaching in Glastonbury. Joanne loved to write and after working many years for CBT and Aetna she went into business for herself before joining the staff of the Main Street News, a local weekly newspaper in Essex, CT. Music was an important part of her life and she sang many years with Cappella Cantorum before being involved in establishing Con Brio, a new singing group. One of her other great loves was being in her book club. Joanne with her husband Ed enjoyed sailing, owning and chartering several sailboats while cruising in the New England waters from New York City to Bar Harbor, Maine. IN the fall of 2005 they cruised south on the Intracoastal Waterway from Old Saybrook to Central Florida returning in the spring of 2006.

In addition to her husband Ed she is survived by her brother Frank Meehan and his wife Susan of Carlisle, PA and Webb Smith of Taneyton, MD. She is also predeceased by her brother Richard Meehan. She will be dearly missed by hers sons and daughters in law; Rich and Susan Arnold of East Hampton, CT; Bill and Barbara Arnold of Windsor, CT; Chuck and Kris Arnold of Bend, OR. Nothing gave Joanne greater pleasure than being a grandmother. “Grandma Jo” will be sadly missed by her grandchildren, Chase, Drake, Frances, and Shane, with whom she gave generously of her time, love and enthusiasm. She will also be missed by Ed’s sons Edward and Kenneth Godfrey, daughters in law Margo and Allison and four grandchildren Tenley, Sam, Rawson and Kate. Joanne will be remembered for her generosity, love and kindness to all her family and friends.

The family would like to express their deep gratitude to the aides from Companions & Homemakers for the wonderful care given Joanne during the last year of her life. Calling hours will begin at 10:00 AM to 1 PM on Sunday January 17th at the Swan Funeral Home in Old Saybrook. There will be a short Service of Remembrance at the funeral home starting at 1 PM. In lieu of flowers memorial donations in memory of Joanne can be made to ALS association, Connecticut Chapter, 4 Oxford Road, Unit E4, Milford, CT 06460.