Vera Godfrey (née Hoffman) passed away peacefully in the early hours of Monday, January 8th, 2024, at the age of 93. Born on May 4th, 1930, in New Haven Connecticut to Jewish immigrants Joseph Hoffman of Poland and Hannah Hoffman (née Wolf) of Latvia. Vera grew up in New Haven and graduated from Hillhouse High School.

On September 3, 1950, she wed her husband, Bernard "Bunny" Godfrey, and the two would go on to be married for 55 years until Bunny's death from Alzheimer's in 2005. They lived in and eventually settled in Orange, Connecticut. Vera worked as an administrator for medical/dental offices. Bunny joined a family surveying business, becoming partner and expanded this successful business.

Vera and Bunny loved travel – collecting souvenirs and art from all around the world, enjoying these adventures with family and friends. Skiing was a major part of their life, leading them to build a house with several close friends, creating lifetime memories for these families.  They eventually purchased their own home in Londonderry Vermont where they continued to enjoy skiing, hosting family and friends to ski, eat, and enjoy being together. Both their love of travel and skiing has been passed down through the generations and to many friends.

In her later years Vera spent winters in Sarasota Florida enjoying the sunshine and company of her friends and brother and sister in law. Vera loved playing mahjong with her friends, shopping, trips to NYC, and spoiling her grandchildren. She enjoyed volunteering at Yale New Haven Hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, where her granddaughter Marissa is a nurse.

Through her battle with dementia, Vera never lost her sense of humor or her ability to charm just about anyone. Though her short term memory was challenged, she would often recall small details and anecdotes from many years ago.

Vera is predeceased by her husband Bunny, daughter Linda, brother-in-law Bobby Godfrey and sister-in-law Frances Godfrey. She is survived by her brother Hal Hoffman and sister-in-law Renate of Sarasota, FL, son Steve Godfrey (sp Tricia Godfrey) of Cheshire, CT and daughter Ellen Godfrey McCarthy (sp Peter McCarthy) of Medfield, MA, along with her grandchildren, Marissa Godfrey, Nina Godfrey, Linda McCarthy and Frannie McCarthy, and nieces and nephews, David Godfrey, Laurie Godfrey, Pam (Hoffman) Skorupski, Adam Hoffman and numerous great nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held on Friday, January 12th, 11:00 am, at Weller Funeral Home, 424 Elm Street, New Haven. Friends may visit with the family from 10:15 until the start of the service. Please consider honoring Vera's love of fashion and for the funeral dress in colorful clothing. There will be a private burial for family only due to limited space. Following the service all guests are welcome to gather at Steve and Tricia's home at 115 Round Hill Road in Cheshire.

In the Jewish tradition, following a death, family members will sit shiva to mourn the loss and visit with those who wish to honor the deceased. The family will sit shiva at their home from 5-8 p.m. on Saturday January 13th and Sunday January 14th. All are welcome to come and share their favorite memories of Vera. Dinner will be provided.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Yale New Haven Neonatal Intensive Care Unit or the Dementia Care Collaborative at Massachusetts General Hospital.