Obituary of Jean Godfrey

Jean Fuller Godfrey Olean-- Jean F. Godfrey of 1566 Windfall Road, Olean, passed away Friday (October 2, 2009) at The Pines Health and Rehabilitation Center in Olean, with her family by her side. Born September 19, 1919 in Williston, Vermont, she was one of eight children born to Burton and Alice Cochran Fuller. She spent the early years of her life on a dairy farm near Burlington, Vermont and was a graduate of Burlington High School and later received her R.N. Degree from Boston Deaconess School of Nursing. On September 12, 1941 in Burlington, VT., she married Dr. John "Jack" Godfrey who predeceased her November 20, 2001. She was loved and admired for her kindness, her strong character and her warm spirit. Her sixty year marriage and the raising of her family were central to her life which was further enriched by many enduring friendships and a strong commitment to community service. She was an active outdoorswoman; she hiked and skied many of the mountains of Vermont and the hills of western New York with her family and friends and sailed through the summer on Cuba Lake. Mrs. Godfrey served for twenty-five years on the Salvation Army Advisory Board, served on the board of directors of the American Red Cross and as a Deaconess and active committee member at the First Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Godfrey was active with the Olean General Hospital Auxiliary, and was involved with the P.T.A. and Campfire Girls when her children were young. Mrs. Godfrey leaves her son, Peter (Sharon) Godfrey of Olean, her daughters Judith (Michael) Patton of Olean, Patricia (Robert) McKinley of Eugene, OR and Jane (Steven) Larmon of Keene, NH. She leaves her grandchildren Jennifer Godfrey, John Godfrey, Erin Godfrey, Amy Godfrey, Whitney (Justin) Bertram, Priscilla (Jeffrey) Bennett, Sarah (Eric) Lame, Scott (Megan) McKinley, John (Mary Clare) McKinley, Mark McKinley, Anne Larmon, Jay Larmon and Jean Larmon. She leaves five great-grandchildren. Besides her husband she was predeceased by a son John Godfrey, Jr. on February 14, 1968, while serving during the Vietnam War and her 4 brothers and 3 sisters. Friends will be received at the Casey, Halwig and Hartle Funeral Home 3128 W. State Road, Olean this evening from 5-8pm. Funeral services will be held Monday (October 5, 2009) at 11am at the First Presbyterian Church of Olean. Rev. Eileen Bordeuin Vanderzwan, pastor will officiate, assisted by Rev. Gary Larson. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that gifts be sent to the John Godfrey, Jr. Scholarship Fund, Office of Institutional Advancement, Norwich University, 158 Harmon Drive, Northfield, VT 05663-1035 or The Salvation Army, 310 East State Street, Olean, NY 14760. <h3>Visitation</h3> Sunday 5-8pm <h3>Services</h3> Monday October 5, 2009 11:00am in the First Presbyterian Church in Olean <h3>Interment</h3> Chestnut Hill Cemetery Portville, NY