MAUREEN GODSEY VALENTE

1954 - 2023

VALENTE, Maureen Godsey (née Godsey) Age 69, of Newton, MA, passed away of complications from a sudden illness on June 11, 2023. She was the wife of Carl Frederick Valente; mother of Katharine Valente Kruger (Matthew) and Laura Valente (Nathan); and grandmother to William and James Kruger. Born in San Antonio, TX, in 1954 to Lillie Wanda Godsey and Col. John (Jack) A. Godsey, USAF (ret.), she was raised in Santa Rosa, CA, and was one of ten siblings: Michael (Elizabeth), John (Patricia), David, Keith (Wanda), Gail (Lynn), Leah (Ted, who predeceased her), Matthew (who predeceased her), Tom (Jill) and Tricia (Eric). She was educated at the University of California, Berkeley and held an MPA from George Washington University. Maureen was passionately committed to public service, spending much of her life working for state and local government. She met her husband in 1979, while working for the International City/County Management Association in Washington, DC. She would later serve as asst. treasurer for the town of Concord, MA, then treasurer in Lexington, MA, before serving as finance director and eventually town manager in Sudbury, MA, where she was particularly proud of her success in expanding affordable housing in the community. She then served as CEO of the Massachusetts School Building Authority before her semi-retirement to consulting and teaching public administration courses at Suffolk University. She also was a member of the Massachusetts State Retirement Board, appointed by State Treasurer Deborah Goldberg. Maureen was a loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. After the birth of her first grandchild, Maureen and Carl purchased a home together with her daughter Kate and family in Newton, and they have spent the past 5 years in great happiness. William (6) and James (3) loved their "Gigi," sneaking up to their grandparents' floor when they needed the best hugs or wanted to 'borrow' her painting supplies. Maureen was talented, intelligent, articulate, and curious, devoting her time in retirement to reading, painting, traveling, and surpassing others in word games and puzzles. Kate and Laura remember their mother for her constant care, guidance, and wit, and for keeping them strong and grounded. Carl still feels lucky that Maureen agreed to date him, and will be forever grateful for their 42 years of marriage. Her six brothers adored her, her three younger sisters idolized her and they all looked to her as a second mother and an inspiration. We are all thankful to have known, loved, and been loved by her. Funeral will be held on Saturday, June 17, at 11 AM, at Grace Episcopal Church at 76 Eldredge St., Newton, MA, followed by a reception. Family Visiting Hours will be Friday, June 16, from 4-8 PM at Eaton and Mackay Funeral Home, 465 Centre St., NEWTON, MA. In lieu of flowers, a donation in her name to the Greater Boston Food Bank, ATTN Accounting, 70 South Bay Ave., Boston, MA 02118 www.gbfb.org To send a note of condolence or to share a memory with Maureen's family, visit www.eatonandmackay.com