Susan Elisabeth Godshall

Susan Elisabeth Godshall (nee Hochschild), an instrumental force in economic and cultural life in New Haven, died on Saturday, October 11 after a long illness. Susan was a summa cum laude graduate of Oberlin College and earned degrees from Yale University in law and architecture. Her professional life focused on efforts to strengthen and improve New Haven through roles at City Hall, at Yale and at the New Haven Chamber of Commerce. As a City attorney under four mayors, she worked on the groundwork for downtown residential projects and cultural anchors such as the Audubon Arts District, improvement of the New Haven Free Public Library, and the Shubert Theater. She led the City's legal team for the 1980-86 renovation of Union Station under a complex federal, state and city initiative that achieved its historic renovation. As Assistant Secretary of Yale University, she chaired the task force that created the Yale Homebuyer Program and helped in the establishment of Yale's voluntary annual contributions to the City budget. As Senior Vice President of the New Haven Chamber of Commerce, Susan worked on state and local government affairs and downtown economic development and regional cooperation, developing industry groups, making presentations and writing the Chamber column "Regional Outlook" in the New Haven Register for ten years. For many years, she served as Administrative Director and in-house lawyer for the New Haven Airport Authority, handling state and federal grants, legislation, and multi-million-dollar construction projects, as well as playing a role in resolving disputes between airport stakeholders. She was known for her skill, exactitude and sense of design and for her intelligence, efficiency and strategic acumen. Susan joined the Board of the New Haven Preservation Trust in 2003 and served the Trust until her death. On September 30, 2025, the Trust's Board of Directors voted to award her the Margaret Flint Award, given "to an individual whose support of preservation in the City of New Haven has contributed to the integrity of the community, protection of its historic resources, and an appreciation of its history." She served as Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer and led fund-raising events. Over the course of several years, she led the efforts that resulted in the addition of New Haven's Long Wharf Pier to the National Registry of Historic Places in 2024. Susan co-authored a book with Jack Tripp documenting the contractors and carpenters of early New Haven buildings. The book, The Builder Book, won the 2023 Honor Book Award of Historic New England. She was an avid gardener and a multi-talented craftsperson, perfecting complicated baskets, fabric arts and bound books through study at Creative Arts Workshop. She was a fearless and skilled cook, who undertook complex recipes with precision and style. Susan was deeply proud of her daughter Dr. Casey Godshall, whom she inspired to study hard and achieve success in her field, and with whom she never stopped trying to share her delight in cooking and gardening. She adored her only grandchild, Ethan Raissis, with whom she enthusiastically played board games and Legos. She is also survived by her son-in-law, Dr. Andrew Raissis, her sister Jennifer Hochschild, and her brother Stephen Hochschild. She was predeceased by her sister Melissa. A memorial service will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to New Haven Preservation Trust, 922 State Street, New Haven, CT 06511. To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Susan Elisabeth (Hochschild) Godshall, please visit our Tree Store.