Geraldine Wadsworth Goddard

Geraldine Wadsworth Goddard

Bright umbrellas, colorful silk scarves, lacey night gowns, big jewelry and high-heeled shoes a€" Geraldine Wadsworth Goddard had an elegant style. She also had strong opinions. You knew what she liked (dressing up) and what she didn''t (levis). Born in Ogden to Corene "Connie" B. and Ronald Wadsworth, Geraldine "Gerry" enjoyed a delightful childhood. She learned to play the piano, to horseback ride, and to dance. At age three, she took her first tap and ballet lessons. These remained a passion throughout her high school years. She loved to kick up her heels and was known to do so into her late 80''s.

At age sixteen, during a French class at Ogden High School, Gerry poked the sleeping boy in front of her with a stylus. When he yelped, they were both dismissed from class and spent the rest of the hour talking. As her husband, John B. Goddard, later said, "Who would have thought that one little poke would have led to a life time together".

Gerry went on to graduate from the University of Utah with a degree in Education and was a member of Pi Beta Phi.

She married John "Jack" a year later during World War II in Little Rock, Arkansas. Gerry and Jack were an incredible complement to one another. Organized, energetic, and efficient, Gerry managed the household, the children, the garden, and their social lives while Jack built his business enterprises. She was a remarkable asset to Jack throughout his career, entertaining business associates and always providing him a listening ear and her own perspective on the problems of the day.

In addition, she found time to volunteer as a Brownie Scout troop leader, to organize a Little League Team, and for several seasons, to supervise the Ogden Symphony Debs.

Gerry was a lifelong member of the Junior League and served as its President from 1958 to 1959 when the focus was on protective care for abused children. She received an Honorary Doctorate from Weber State University in 1999.

She had a talent for space planning and a sense of color which she used not only to create her own beautiful environments, but over the years to supervise the construction of 14 homes built for sale. She used those same talents to help transform a Weber State dormitory into the Eccles Art Center.

Gerry loved a social gathering and maintained a wide circle of friends. She enjoyed entertaining and often hosted parties in her home and lovely gardens. She particularly liked a competitive game of bridge and was an active member of the Ogden Golf and Country Club.

After Jack''s retirement, the two spent their winter months in the California desert enjoying the blue skies, sunshine, flowers and friends. She was a member of the Desert Horizons and Eldorado Country Clubs. At Eldorado, she was President of the Putters Club which became very popular under her leadership.

Her greatest joy and source of pride were her children. Nothing gave her more pleasure than to have the family together. Throughout the years, she hosted countless birthday parties, Christmas dinners, and holiday celebrations as her way of keeping the family close. Gerry and Jack also hosted several family trips which will always be remembered.

Gerry is survived by her husband, John B. Goddard; daughters, Mary Ann (Donald) Garner , Susie (Elliot) Hulet; sons, John Kelly (Kathy) Goddard and Christopher W. (Beverly) Goddard; two grandchildren , John Kelly Goddard Jr. and Jason (Nicole) Goddard; and four great grandchildren, McKell, Elisabeth, Harrison and Hannah.

She was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, Mary Wadsworth Browning and Joy S. Wadsworth, as well as first born daughter, Anne.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 10, 2013 at 2 p.m. at Lindquist''s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd. Friends may visit with family on Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Friday from 1 to 2 p.m. at the mortuary.

Interment, Lindquist''s Washington Heights Memorial Park, 4500 Washington Blvd.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to the Ogden Nature Center, 966 West 12th Street, Ogden, 84404 or the Junior League of Ogden, 2580 Jefferson Avenue, Ogden, 84401.