Sara Victoria Godfrey

Sara Victoria Godfrey passed away peacefully in her sleep at Desert Palm at the Park in Phoenix, Arizona, on Monday morning, August 17, 2026, following a nine-year journey with Alzheimer’s disease.

Born in New Carlisle, Ohio, to George Albert, Sr. and Una Virginia Godfrey (nee Weaver), Sara was raised in Fairborn, Ohio, alongside her ten siblings: Carolyn Susan, James William, Emma Roberta, Mary Ellen, Elizabeth Etta, Robert Franklin, Phyllis Catherine, George Albert Jr., Gladys Irene, and Virginia Ruth, all of whom preceded her in death.

Sara lived many worthwhile and meaningful roles throughout her 93 years. She was mother to Victoria Benoit (Robert-husband), Rochelle Gooder (Ronald-late husband), Denise Benoit (Bill-partner) and Bruce Benoit (Kathy-wife); grandmother to Grant, Sonja, Chloe, Jason, and Nolan; and great-grandmother to Leif, Odin, Jasper, and Jaxon; and aunt to her nieces and nephews. She was married and divorced to Edward Benoit, Jr., Joe Dentice, and Don Boville, and was a good friend to many.

She raised her four children primarily in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. At the age of 55, Sara moved to Mesa, Arizona, drawn by the warm desert climate and determined to pursue her dream of becoming a business owner. True to her independent spirit, she created a life for herself that continued to grow and evolve.

Throughout her working life, Sara wore many hats. She worked as a nanny, secretary, and call-center supervisor before becoming the owner of Caring Touch, where she provided therapeutic massage and taught infant massage to parents. She later became an aesthetician, providing facials. At age 60, she proudly earned an Associate’s Degree from Mesa Community College. Go, Sara, go!

Sara was fiercely independent, creative, and a gifted writer. She loved adventure and the outdoors, especially hiking the Echo Canyon Trail in the Superstition Mountains. She loved sunshine, picnics, and swimming in her community pool. She was also an active member of the Mesa Senior Center, where she performed in several plays and shared her love of bridge by teaching the game to other members. She had fun making her own Halloween costumes for parties she went to and won first place several times.

Sara lived life on her own terms. She continued learning, creating, working, exploring, and building a life filled with interests and purpose well into her later years. Her determination and independent spirit were unmistakably hers.

Her four children will gather on September 3, 2026, in Plover, Wisconsin, to celebrate Sara and honor the life she lived.

She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by her family and all who had the privilege of knowing her.