Sylvia Julia Godard

Sylvia Julia Godard, age 94 of Warren, died peacefully at home on Wednesday, May 27, 2020. She was born in Detroit on January 14, 1926, daughter of the late John Anthony and the late Mary Louise (nee: DeFour) Gietzen.  

Prior to his passing, Sylvia was blessed to share 41 years of marriage with the love of her life, Robert. Sharing their vows in the family’s backyard, it was the beginning of what would be a wonderful story of love, support, and the creation of some beautiful memories both as husband & wife, and Mom & Dad. Along with being a dutiful homemaker, Sylvia was also the proud mother of six children who stole her heart each day and gave life the special meaning that only her children could give. She was always pouring the best of herself into keeping the home fires burning, nurturing the comforts of home & hearth, and managing each day’s events like a professional. Of course, an important aspect of keeping her husband and family in good standing was keeping them fed,…and Sylvia truly knew her way around the kitchen. A great cook in her own right, the Galloping Gourmet had nothin’ on her. All she needed was a stove, an oven, and a little preparation space,…then all you had to do was step back and watch the magic unfold. Meal times at the Godard house were a feast for the eyes, the senses, and especially for the belly. If you left Sylvia’s table hungry, you simply weren’t tryin’!

Along with being a fantastic cook, Sylvia grew up learning the old fashioned skill of canning. An age old method of storing up food for future consumption, her children often reminisce of the days they used to watch their Mom standing over a cauldron of hot water as she steamed the jars,…and preparing all of the various fruits and vegetables that were going to fill those receptacles. It’s a skill that seems to have fallen by the wayside over time,…but back then, it was all about preservation and preparation during a time when life was much different than it is today.

For as much as Sylvia gave to her family, she will also be remembered for how she gave of herself through her deep and abiding faith in God. A longtime parishioner of St. Mary, Our Lady Queen of Families Catholic Church ~ St. Clement Site in Center Line, Sylvia had the heart of a saint. Forever putting others’ needs ahead of her own, she was always willing to help the less fortunate and reach out to her fellow man with the resources God had given her,…both physically and spiritually. And though she did it quietly, Sylvia’s giving spirit touched a multitude of hearts and lives through the countless charities she supported over the years. If she hasn’t heard it already, she is bound to hear her Father say, “well done thy good & faithful servant.”

Family was first & foremost in Sylvia’s life,...they were Priority #1, for sure. They were nourished with far more than the food that graced her dinner table, they were nurtured by the goodness that emanated from her love, her happy heart, and the many hours she spent holding them up in prayer. Sylvia possessed a loving-kindness that saw the best in everybody,…encouraged each life that shared her path,…and left each soul a little richer in her wake. She lived for each family get-together, and loved the sharing of hearts with those closest to her own. A loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and sister, Sylvia lived large, loved deeply, and leaves a legacy of love that is sure to be embraced with each reflection shared by those who were blessed to know her. She will be missed immensely and loved eternally.

Sylvia was the beloved wife of the late Robert John Godard, Sr. Dearest mother of Robert John, Jr., Nancy Ann (Robert) Bogart, John Anthony (Marilyn) Godard, Bernadette Frances Godard, Martin Godard, and the late Kristine M. Godard. Loving grandmother of Cheryl (Bill) Turner, Julie Ianitelli, Susan (Shannon) Mohr, Cathi (Matt) Wood, Sandra (Mike) Moffit, Sharon (Drew) Delbello, Michelle Godard, Nicholas (Krystle) Godard, and Emalee Godard. Treasured great-grandmother of Kyrsten, Alex, Aiden, Anna Marie, Peter, Etienne, Julian, Jordan, Kyrie, Kaleb, Kaden, Allison, and Ashton. Cherished sister of Agnes, and preceded in death by her six other loving siblings; Marie, Margaret, Geraldine, Rob, John, and Anne.

A Memorial Mass for Sylvia will be held following the All Clear announcement of the Covid Crisis. Please check back for updates.

Memorial donations, to honor Sylvia’s life, are welcomed to the American Cancer Society, 20450 Civic Center Drive, Southfield, Michigan 48076, or to their website at www.cancer.org

Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to the D.S. Temrowski & Sons Funeral Home in Warren, Michigan.

Please share memories of Sylvia at her guest book below.