Shirley Godfrey

Shirley Jean (Cushman) Godfrey, age 84, died peacefully on Monday, July 11, 2022. She was born in Plainwell, Michigan, on December 27, 1937, to Bill and Wilma Cushman. Shirley is survived by her husband, Robert “Bob” Godfrey; two children, Debbie (Larry) Lind, Jeff (Terri) Godfrey; four grandchildren, Heather (Daryl) Bird, Ryan (Tina) Lind, Jeffrey Godfrey, Amanda (Joe) Koperski; 10 great-grandchildren, Harlan, Haley, Hayden, and Hazel Bird, Mila, Declan, and Tauren Lind, Levi Godfrey, Weston and Blakely Koperski; four siblings, Bob (Janet) Cushman, Bill (Bev) Cushman, Sally (Norm) Cook, Butch (Deb) Cushman; and her nieces, nephews, extended family, and many friends. She was preceded in death by her sister, Sharon. Shirley grew up in Otsego, Michigan, as the oldest of six siblings, helping to take care of the younger ones. She enjoyed band, girl scouts, and was on the homecoming court. Shirley met the love of her life, Bob, at the Saint Patrick’s Day dance her sophomore year of high school. They claimed and danced to the song “Could I Have This Dance for the Rest of My Life” by Anne Murray. They enjoyed ballroom dancing for many years to come. From Otsego they moved to Grandville in 1966. Shirley found the Lord at her neighbor, Mr. Schemer’s funeral and has loved the Lord and spread his light ever since. That moment changed her life and the life of her family forever. They enjoyed vacationing as a family in Florida and then later found their favorite spot at Ft. Myers Beach, where Shirley and Bob spent many winters. When her kids were older, she worked as a manager in the optometry field, making sure her clients found the perfect pair of glasses. Shirley was known for her loving and spunky demeanor and great sense of humor. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. You couldn’t find a speck of dirt in her house or a wilted flower in her garden. Her door was always open to anyone, and her four grandkids skipped through the door daily as they lived just across the creek all their childhood. The family gathered often to enjoy her delicious meals, and spent every Sunday night having pizza, popcorn and watching “America’s Funniest Home Videos”. We will fondly remember her laughing and hugging her family as she always did and cheering us on at our sporting events. We know she is whole and happy again, dancing in heaven watching down on all of us. The family would like to express their thanks to American House of Jenison and Spectrum Health Hospice for their excellent care. A service to celebrate Shirley’s life will be held on Tuesday, July 19, 2022, at 11 a.m. at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home (Grandville) 4145 Chicago Dr. SW with Pastor Dennis Gilbert officiating. The burial will take place at Grandville Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet the family Monday, July 18, from 5-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to Spectrum Health Hospice.