Señora Godfrey was a Pingry faculty member (1999-2018) who adored her students and deeply respected her colleagues. Through structure, support, modeling, and a wry sense of good humor, she encouraged her Spanish language students, advisees, quiz bowl kids, and ski team members to become their best selves. Like with her own children, Sra. Godfrey provided ardent championing when warranted and offered equally candid criticism when needed.
Infinitely modest about her own accomplishments, Sra. Godfrey rarely spoke of herself although I’m sure you heard many stories about her children. For us, she was an inspiration, a role model, and a hero. What you may not know about her is that she was a talented artist whose sculptures, tile-work, and architectural designs embodied both her practical nature and creativity. Additionally, she was a successful entrepreneur who founded and ran four thriving companies. For Sra. Godfrey, her greatest accomplishment was raising her three children (as a single parent), constantly reminding us that it is not what you do, but rather how you do it and who you are as a person.
Above all, Señora Godfrey was a fiercely loving mother, aunt, and sister whose family came before anything else – including herself. She died on Tuesday, October 27, 2020 in Concord, NH in the arms of her eldest children and surrounded by the voices of her beloved family, including daughter Dana Krein ’94, son Jason Krein, daughter Avery Krein, DVM ’03, nephew Trevor Godfrey-Dardik ’04, niece Whitney Hardin, and sister Alison Godfrey.
Many folks asked what they can do to honor her memory. To that, Sra. Godfrey would likely offer the following suggestions (she always provided choices):
• Continue being your best self by embracing life-long learning and compassion for those around you.
• Share your time, talents, and energy with the next generation in order to help bring about the world that ought to be.
• If you ever find yourself in Marco Island, Florida, stop by the Jewish Memorial section of the cemetery to share stories of your adventures with her (she designed the Godfrey-Krein boulder that you can’t miss).
For those of you who are committed to a more tangible acknowledgement of how much Señora Godfrey meant to you, consider making a donation to the Jewish Congregation of Marco Island (marcojcmi.com; 991 Winterberry Drive, Marco Island, Florida 34145) or Pingry.
We are immensely grateful to all of our mom’s students and colleagues who provided her with decades of tremendous joy!
-Dana Krein ’94 (on behalf of the Godfrey-Krein family)
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18