Audrey Godfrey

At the request of her children, the following is in Audrey’s own words: I, Audrey Ann Vonroth Godfrey, entered this world on May 16, 1931 in Newark, New Jersey, as the only child of William Vonroth and Elizabeth Annie Quickert Vonroth. Preceded in death by my eldest grandson, Daniel Schow, my husband, LaVar, and my parents, I entered another realm and returned to my Heavenly Father on Friday, November 20, 2020 due to age related illness at Ashford Assisted Living Center in Draper, Utah.

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My life has been very rich and full with a terrific family and a treasure of friends, all of whom I do love and adore. Thank you for being there for me throughout my life.

A convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I have served in the Church in many capacities, but teaching the Gospel has been my favorite. I twice participated in the Hill Cumorah Pageant in Palmyra, New York. At the same time, my future husband, LaVar Godfrey, was director of the lighting at the pageant while on his mission there.

I attended schools in Nutley, New Jersey and upstate New York, where I graduated from Coxsackie-Athens High School. Upon graduating from Brigham Young University with a bachelor’s degree in Education and a minor in Psychology, I taught school in Nebo, Murray and Jordan School Districts, and retired in 2003 at the age of 72, the same year my husband died. Teaching, I hope, was my small contribution to the betterment of mankind. I became known as “Amelia Bedelia” for my renditions of her amusing books. Reading, drama, teaching, learning, music and people are my favorite interests.

On Sept. 10, 1955, I married LaVar Delbert Godfrey in Athens, New York and was sealed to him in the Logan Temple two weeks later. From this union we had 5 choice children: twin girls - Rhonda (Boyd) Sorensen, Denae Schow; sons Glen (Stephanie) Godfrey and Neal Godfrey, and daughter LeAuna (Douglas) Brown; 20 grandchildren and 33 great grandchildren.

My precious family has been my joy. May they always remember the good times, our family traditions, travels and vacations together and house-boating on Lake Powell. It is my hope that they will stay close to each other and to the Lord.

Travel has enriched and enlightened my life; I have traveled throughout the USA, Canada, Mexico, Germany, France, Italy, Brazil, Peru, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Argentina, Uruguay, Chili, the Antarctica and China!

Another thing that has been a blessing in my life is serving as a temple worker in the Jordan River Temple. I found great joy in that service.

I love learning. Thus, a highlight every summer for LaVar and me has been to attend BYU Campus Education Week.

Although flowers are lovely, I would prefer to still make a difference in this world with your donations for the Church Perpetual Education Fund to help others worldwide to receive an education. Knowledge is power!

Besides my children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, I also leave behind a brother, Dr. William Vonroth, Jr. (Irene) of Nutley, New Jersey, and sister, Joy (Martin) Cohn of Texas, as well as nieces and nephews. To all of you, I also leave my testimony of the Atonement of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Until we meet again, “God bless you, everyone!”

The family of Audrey Godfrey would like to express our heartfelt appreciation for the many expressions of love and support shown to us and our mother. Immense gratitude to Ashford Assisted Living and Inspiration Hospice for their never-ending kindness, love, respect, and tender care.

We would also like to thank our mother for her many sacrifices to make our lives better. Because of her efforts and encouragement, we had lessons in piano, guitar, accordion, cake decorating, sewing, dance, skiing, sports and more. Our family of seven loved to travel together with our 17 ft trailer across the country, creating memories that we will cherish forever. She taught us to love each other and established many traditions to keep our family close. We love you Mom!

A viewing will be held on Sunday, November 29, 2020 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at Jenkins-Soffe Funeral Home, 4760 South State Street, Murray, Utah. Funeral services will be held on Monday, November 30 at 12:00pm with a viewing prior from 10:30am to 11:30am. For those wishing to attend virtually, the funeral service may be viewed online at www.jenkins-soffe.com. To leave condolences or to view the funeral webcast, please go to https://www.jenkins-soffe.com/obituaries/obituary-listings.