Beverly Jean Godley

1930 - 2022

Beverly Jean (Goodwin) Godley passed away Thursday, September 29, 2022 at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor with many of her children by her side. Beverly was 92. A funeral service will be held at Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca, Michigan at 11 a.m. on Friday, October 7, 2022 with Paula Timm-Potrykus officiating. The family will receive visitors Thursday, October 6 from 5-8 p.m. and again on Friday beginning at 10 a.m. up until the time of service. Interment following the service will be at Ithaca Cemetery. A luncheon to celebrate Beverly’s life will follow at the North Star Township Hall, 2840 E. Buchanan Rd. Ithaca, Michigan. Beverly was born June 30, 1930 in Saginaw, Michigan to Dorothy and Harold B. Goodwin. She graduated from Ithaca High School in 1949. On December 23,1950, she married Norman Godley, and the two of them shared a life together with their six children until his death in 2005. Beverly’s love of children extended over to her teaching career. Shortly after her marriage she began teaching at the Barnes (Country) School. After her children were born, she received her teaching certificate and degree in education from Central Michigan University. She then began teaching elementary education at Ithaca Public Schools for the remainder of her teaching career. In later years, she loved hearing from former students who expressed how she had impacted their lives and that she had been their favorite teacher. After retirement, she spent much of her time caring for her grandchildren and attending their sporting or school events. Beverly and Norm loved to travel, going on cruises and taking trips throughout the country. They could be seen locally, driving around in her favorite little 1966 red Mustang. One of her joys was entering and receiving awards for her Mustang in the many car shows they attended, Beverly was extremely proud of and dearly loved her family. She kept close track of her twenty grandchildren and twenty three great grandchildren and loved any chance to see them. There were many family gatherings at her home she built in Ithaca where she spent many hours on her front porch with her beloved cats on her lap. Beverly is survived by her six children, Karen (Greg) Giles of Alma, Jeffrey (Pamela) Godley of Grand Rapids, Deborah (Jim Motz) Morris-Motz of Mt. Pleasant, Eileen Hasman of Traverse City, Brian Godley of Ithaca, and Alan (Laurie) Godley of Alma. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Gerrit (Amanda) Powell, Ryan Powell, Cheyenne (Nick) Sangster, Calob (Megan) Giles, Caden Giles, Justin (Isadora) Godley, Brett Godley, Andrew Morris, Sarah (Brittany Eye) Morris, Matt Motz, Emberly Motz, Chaz Hasman, Lindsay (Ben) Skinner, Cory Godley, Haley (Adam) Hill, Phylicia (Brady) Travis, Breanna Godley, Seth (Nicole) Godley, Elle (Logan) Zamarron, Hunter Godley, as well as her twenty three great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents Harold and Dorothy Goodwin, her husband Norman, and brother Jack Goodwin. Memorial contributions can be made to the Harold B Goodwin Memorial Scholarship Fund through the Gratiot County Community Foundation, with checks made out to Gratiot County Community Foundation. Alternatively, donations can be made to The Care Team Hospice Service. Both will be accepted by Barden Funeral Home. The family is being served by the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca. Condolences may be left for the family online at: www.bardenfuneralhome.com