Irene Godfrey

Irene Godfrey, our beloved mother, died peacefully Monday, November 4, 2013. "No job is worth doing unless it is done well," was the credo by which she lived and she leaves a sturdy footprint behind of a life reflective of jobs well done.Born in Licking County, Ohio, February 27, 1919, to David Agustus and Plyna (Morrow) Langel, Irene was one of three children enjoying her youth on her parent's beautiful Ayrshire dairy farm in Kirkersville. Irene believed in community and made it her every day purpose to be a positive contributor. She was a champion of the underdog and of those in need of a helping hand. She and her beloved husband of 64 years, John (Jack) Godfrey (who passed away in 2008) were instrumental in establishing The Life Center at Wesley Ridge. They worked together in several Civitan clubs (one which they started) and also worked with Special Olympics, among many other volunteer and charity efforts. Irene was a member of the Reynoldsburg United Methodist Church for over 55 years a member of the Reynoldsburg Civic Club, and a former member of the National Association of Bank Women, the National Institute of Bankers and the Columbus Metropolitan Club.Irene was a progressive, strong woman ahead of her time in many ways. She had a successful, 30-year career at City National Bank (now Chase) and was a strong believer in equality for women. She was an amazing athlete, known throughout Licking County (in her day) as a star Girls basketball player. She was passionate about Ohio State University and her beloved Buckeyes, attending football, basketball, bowl games and NCAA tournament games for nearly 50 years. She loved the state of Ohio and took great pride in all that is Ohio. She took great pride in her family's long history of exhibiting Ayrshire cattle at The Ohio State Fair, a tradition that began for her in 1930. She was the second oldest member of the fair's 50 Year Club. Irene was a patriot, taking great pride in our country, having seen her husband through WWll, including his nine months as a German POW.Irene is survived by her two daughters, Pamela (Samuel) Osborn and Margaret (John) Sawyer, six grandchildren, Samuel and Joseph Osborn, Hannah Haygood, and Sean, Jacqueline and Tess Sawyer, five great grandchildren (with others on the way)along with several beloved nieces and nephews.Her family will receive friends on Friday, November 8, 2013, from Noon until the time of funeral services, celebrating her amazing life at 1:00 p.m. All to be held at the chapel of Wesley Ridge, 2225 Taylor Park Drive, Reynoldsburg, 43068.The family prefers that memorials be directed to the Life Center at Wesley Ridge, 2225 Taylor Park Drive, Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068.