Sarah Elizabeth Godbey

Sarah Elizabeth Godbey, 91, of Muncy, and formerly of State College, passed away on Jan. 7, 2009 in the Muncy Valley Hospital Skilled Nursing Unit at Muncy.

Born in Silver Grove, Campbell County, KY, on Monday, June 18, 1917, she was the daughter of the late James T. and Jessie (Colbert) Ratcliff.

She was the widow of Gordon Clay Godbey who preceded her in death on June 18, 2004. They were married on August 27,1942. His death broke a marital union of 62 years.

She received her masters degree from the University of Kentucky and was a retired educator. She authored articles for national magazines and college text books. Mrs. Godbey was a skilled and loving homemaker and parent.

Mrs. Godbey was a member and former president of the American Association of University Women, a member of the the Habitat for Humanity, a Boys Scouts of America den mother, a member of the Muncy Historical Society and had served on the Muncy Public Library board. She helped to found the festival of the arts at State College and the Phone-A-Friend for Children. She had taught classes on aging for Penn State and helped to establish the State College Chapter of the Women’s Resource Center.

She was named State College Woman of the Year. She had a lifelong interest in parks and recreation and had served on the State College Parks board for 35 years. In 1988 the State College park system established a playground and named it in her honor.

She is survived by one daughter and son-in-law, Nella and Bruce Storm, Muncy; three sons, Dr. Geoffrey C. Godbey, State College; Dr. Galen C. Godbey, Allentown; Gerald C. Godbey, Morven, NC; her brother and sister-in-law, Chester and Mary Godbey Bailey, Mansfield; two nephews, Gary Ratcliff; Paul Bailey; three nieces, Barbara Wilder; Cheryl Ratcliff; Barbara Bailey McConnell; 7 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her brother, Sherley Ratcliff and one granddaughter, Gwendolyn Godbey.

Family and friends are invited to attend a celebration of her life on Sunday, Jan. 18, at 1:30 p.m. at the Galen R. Betzer Funeral Service, 108 North Main Street, Muncy. A reception will follow at the residence of Bill and Linda Pouton, 220 Pepper St.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Muncy Public Library, 108 S. Main Street, Muncy, PA 17756; the Muncy Shade Tree Commission, 14 N. Washington Street, Muncy, PA 17756; or the Muncy Historical Society, 40 N. Main St., Muncy.

Visit www.betzerfuneral.com to sign the guest book or send an e-condolence.