Jo Lenee Godfrey

Obituary

Jo Lenee Godfrey
May 15, 1943 - May 15, 2016 A STAR IS BORN Curtain rises ~ Spotlight, Center Stage Jo "Lenee" ~ Born May 15, 1943 in Pocatello, Idaho to her producers Billy B. and Ada Lillian Yowell. Off stage in the wings joining the troupe at later dates were sisters; Lea Von, Nancy Ann, Trudy Diane, and Laurie Donna. Lenee used her unique voice to create her role of chief sister/lead singer while performing from a young age, growing into her adult years singing Andrews Sisters songs with her own Yowell Sisters.

Act 1 Lenee enters her education at Jefferson Elementary moving stage right to Irving Junior High. Then onto the Pocatello High School ensemble, where she claims the Class of 1961 as her own. Her dedication finishes off her education years at Grimm's Business School where Lenee again shines in the performance of secretarial skills.

Act 2 Lenee joins the workforce with her first job at JJ Newberry's then onto JC Penney's, gaining her sense of style while working with fashion and accessories. Lenee is involved with the front of the house during her time working at OSCO and Thora's House of Travel. Culminating her talents and skills is her role managing Idaho State University Chemistry Department students and staff as a secretarial assistant. She is loved by all.

Act 3 Merging her talents into marriage with Gary Falter, Lenee produces her first star, Jeanine. The play with Gary soon folds, but Lenee has spirit, merging in marriage with Stephen Lish a few years later and producing her second star, Jennifer. This merger also folds, yet Lenee believes in love and finally finds the love of her life in Bert Godfrey. Marrying in 1976, this merger brings with it two additional stars: Susan and Patricia Godfrey. With her troupe of daughters and the support of great husband, Lenee settles into life with Bert, raising teenagers and traveling the world, serving as hosts to travel groups always laughing, always dancing, and making many lifelong memories and friends.

Act 4 A natural performer, Lenee is drawn to the spotlight, performing in Pocatello Community Summer Productions of Oklahoma, Showboat, Hello Dolly, South Pacific, and starring as Annie Oakley in Annie Get Your Gun. Lenee's love of singing and performing leads her to pursue a family love of barbershop harmony with the Pocatello Sweet Adelines Chorus, quartet singing with the Pocadettes, and the national award-winning Reveries. Lenee moves center stage into a director's role of the Sweet Adelines with mentoring from Charter Director, Morris Butler. As an encore to her singing talents, Lenee and Bert and a few good friends join to form the group The Argyles, singing songs from the 1950s and 1960s for audiences far and wide. A good time is had by all.

Finale Sadness sets in with Bert's passing in 2002. Lenee suffers from an illness for two decades which challenges her energy and breathing, still her humor and sharp wit shines. She once said: "I still have the stage bug. Whenever I open the fridge and the light shines on me, I do a song and dance for 5 minutes, all for the audience of my faithful, loving dog, Jesée." Lenee's spotlight fades to black on May 15, 2016 while surrounded by an audience of family and loved ones at Portneuf Medical Center in Pocatello. She has come full circle, leaving this earthly plane on the same day she entered it. She moves onto a new plane, re-joining her sweet husband, Bert, dancing into the sunset. Curtain lowers.

Surviving Cast Members Daughters Jeanine (Greg) Rosales, Maumelle, AR; Jennifer McBride, Boise, ID; Susan (Gary) Campbell, Sonoma, CA; Patty (Mark) Wiseman, Twin Falls, ID; Karen Sparks, Golconda, NV. Grandchildren: Colleen Hodges, North Platte, NE; Lucas Rosales, Maumelle, AR; Randi (Nicholas) Thomson, Pocatello, ID; Cori (David) Johnson, Richland, WA; Afton (Sean) Ray, Pocatello, ID; Samantha (Colton) Carbol, Pocatello, ID; Reanna Loveland, Twin Falls, ID. Great Grandchildren: Brookelynn; Jonathon, and Joshua Hodges, North Platte, NE; Ashton and Tramayne Johnson, Richland, WA; Halle and Daxon Thomson, Pocatello, ID. Sisters: Lea Wood (Bobby Hemmert) Pocatello, ID; Nancy (Lonnie) Seguine, Meridian, ID; Trudy Yowell (Jack Larkin), Boise, ID; Laurie Yowell, Boise, ID. Many, many, many cousins, nephews, nieces, friends, and neighbors. Dog: Jesée.'

Family greeting Lenee in heaven Husband - Bert Godfrey; Parents - Billy B. and Ada L. Yowell; Brother in Law - Steven G. Wood In honor of Lenee, a gift of support to single parents wishing to attend college may be donated to the Bert and Lenee Godfrey Scholarship Endowment Fund, c/o Idaho State University Foundation, 921 S. 8th, Mail Stop 8050, Pocatello, Idaho 83209.

Lenee's family wishes to extend a heart-felt, gracious thank you to Dr. Jonathan Cree and the members of Helping Hands Home Health Care.

Published in Idaho State Journal on May 22, 2016

Link: Idaho State Journal