Philadelphia Inquirer, The (PA) - Sunday, February 9, 2003
Barbara P.L. Godfrey, 92, former Swarthmore teacher
By Sally A. Downey INQUIRER STAFF WRITER
Posted: February 09, 2003
Barbara Pearson Lange Godfrey, 92, a former drama teacher at Swarthmore College, who was dean of women at the school during the turbulent '60s, died Tuesday at White Horse Village, a retirement community in Newtown Square.
Mrs. Godfrey was born on the campus of Swarthmore College, where her father was professor of public speaking. As a girl, she performed in summer plays he produced under tents in towns around the state. She and her three siblings attended Swarthmore - her oldest brother, Drew, became a celebrated newspaper columnist.
After two years at Swarthmore, she transferred to the Yale Drama School, where she met her husband, Gordon Lange, a writer and actor. They married in 1932.
She returned to Swarthmore with her husband and for 17 years, she taught drama and public speaking and directed theater - including an annual Shakespeare play - at the college.
In a 1999 article in the Swarthmore College Bulletin, she spoke about the student productions, "in those days there was no credit for it, but the students did it all - sewing costumes, building sets, lighting, performing."
In 1962, two years after Swarthmore College honored her for "distinctive contribution to the life of the community," Mrs. Godfrey was appointed dean of women.
"I was asked because I was so friendly with the students," she said. But once the students she had taught graduated, she said, "I became the enemy. There were young women who didn't speak to me."
Some rebellious students, however, later thanked her for being a mediator between them and their distressed parents.
After seven years as dean, Mrs. Godfrey was director of career planning and placement for several years until she retired in the early 1970s.
While serving in administrative positions, Mrs. Godfrey continued to direct the yearly faculty production and directed a play for Swarthmore's centennial in 1964.
Her niece, Barbara Grove, said her aunt was a patron of the People's Light and Theatre Company in Malvern and was a subscriber to the Philadelphia Orchestra. She enjoyed attending New York theater and organized a play-reading group at White Horse Village, where she had lived since 1990.
"She was glamorous and had a dramatic flair," her niece said. "But she was a warm person and made friends easily."
Mrs. Godfrey's first husband died in 1979. She later married Warren Godfrey, who died in 1983. She is survived by daughters Julie Hall and Josie Seymour; a son, Jonathan Lange; 13 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Feb. 22 at Swarthmore Friends Meeting, where she was a lifelong member. Burial is private.
Contact staff writer Sally A. Downey at 215-854-2913 or [email protected].
Name: Barbara P. Godfrey
State of Issue: New York
Date of Birth: Tuesday July 05, 1910
Date of Death: Tuesday February 04, 2003
Est. Age at Death: 92 years, 6 months, 30 days
Confirmation: Verified
Last known residence:
City: Newtown Square
County: Delaware
State: Pennsylvania
ZIP Code: 19073
Barbara P.L. Godfrey, 92, former Swarthmore teacher
By Sally A. Downey INQUIRER STAFF WRITER
Posted: February 09, 2003
Barbara Pearson Lange Godfrey, 92, a former drama teacher at Swarthmore College, who was dean of women at the school during the turbulent '60s, died Tuesday at White Horse Village, a retirement community in Newtown Square.
Mrs. Godfrey was born on the campus of Swarthmore College, where her father was professor of public speaking. As a girl, she performed in summer plays he produced under tents in towns around the state. She and her three siblings attended Swarthmore - her oldest brother, Drew, became a celebrated newspaper columnist.
After two years at Swarthmore, she transferred to the Yale Drama School, where she met her husband, Gordon Lange, a writer and actor. They married in 1932.
She returned to Swarthmore with her husband and for 17 years, she taught drama and public speaking and directed theater - including an annual Shakespeare play - at the college.
In a 1999 article in the Swarthmore College Bulletin, she spoke about the student productions, "in those days there was no credit for it, but the students did it all - sewing costumes, building sets, lighting, performing."
In 1962, two years after Swarthmore College honored her for "distinctive contribution to the life of the community," Mrs. Godfrey was appointed dean of women.
"I was asked because I was so friendly with the students," she said. But once the students she had taught graduated, she said, "I became the enemy. There were young women who didn't speak to me."
Some rebellious students, however, later thanked her for being a mediator between them and their distressed parents.
After seven years as dean, Mrs. Godfrey was director of career planning and placement for several years until she retired in the early 1970s.
While serving in administrative positions, Mrs. Godfrey continued to direct the yearly faculty production and directed a play for Swarthmore's centennial in 1964.
Her niece, Barbara Grove, said her aunt was a patron of the People's Light and Theatre Company in Malvern and was a subscriber to the Philadelphia Orchestra. She enjoyed attending New York theater and organized a play-reading group at White Horse Village, where she had lived since 1990.
"She was glamorous and had a dramatic flair," her niece said. "But she was a warm person and made friends easily."
Mrs. Godfrey's first husband died in 1979. She later married Warren Godfrey, who died in 1983. She is survived by daughters Julie Hall and Josie Seymour; a son, Jonathan Lange; 13 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Feb. 22 at Swarthmore Friends Meeting, where she was a lifelong member. Burial is private.
Contact staff writer Sally A. Downey at 215-854-2913 or [email protected].
Name: Barbara P. Godfrey
State of Issue: New York
Date of Birth: Tuesday July 05, 1910
Date of Death: Tuesday February 04, 2003
Est. Age at Death: 92 years, 6 months, 30 days
Confirmation: Verified
Last known residence:
City: Newtown Square
County: Delaware
State: Pennsylvania
ZIP Code: 19073
Philadelphia Inquirer, The (PA) - Sunday, February 9, 2003
Barbara P.L. Godfrey, 92, former Swarthmore teacher
By Sally A. Downey INQUIRER STAFF WRITER
Posted: February 09, 2003
Barbara Pearson Lange Godfrey, 92, a former drama teacher at Swarthmore College, who was dean of women at the school during the turbulent '60s, died Tuesday at White Horse Village, a retirement community in Newtown Square.
Mrs. Godfrey was born on the campus of Swarthmore College, where her father was professor of public speaking. As a girl, she performed in summer plays he produced under tents in towns around the state. She and her three siblings attended Swarthmore - her oldest brother, Drew, became a celebrated newspaper columnist.
After two years at Swarthmore, she transferred to the Yale Drama School, where she met her husband, Gordon Lange, a writer and actor. They married in 1932.
She returned to Swarthmore with her husband and for 17 years, she taught drama and public speaking and directed theater - including an annual Shakespeare play - at the college.
In a 1999 article in the Swarthmore College Bulletin, she spoke about the student productions, "in those days there was no credit for it, but the students did it all - sewing costumes, building sets, lighting, performing."
In 1962, two years after Swarthmore College honored her for "distinctive contribution to the life of the community," Mrs. Godfrey was appointed dean of women.
"I was asked because I was so friendly with the students," she said. But once the students she had taught graduated, she said, "I became the enemy. There were young women who didn't speak to me."
Some rebellious students, however, later thanked her for being a mediator between them and their distressed parents.
After seven years as dean, Mrs. Godfrey was director of career planning and placement for several years until she retired in the early 1970s.
While serving in administrative positions, Mrs. Godfrey continued to direct the yearly faculty production and directed a play for Swarthmore's centennial in 1964.
Her niece, Barbara Grove, said her aunt was a patron of the People's Light and Theatre Company in Malvern and was a subscriber to the Philadelphia Orchestra. She enjoyed attending New York theater and organized a play-reading group at White Horse Village, where she had lived since 1990.
"She was glamorous and had a dramatic flair," her niece said. "But she was a warm person and made friends easily."
Mrs. Godfrey's first husband died in 1979. She later married Warren Godfrey, who died in 1983. She is survived by daughters Julie Hall and Josie Seymour; a son, Jonathan Lange; 13 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Feb. 22 at Swarthmore Friends Meeting, where she was a lifelong member. Burial is private.
Contact staff writer Sally A. Downey at 215-854-2913 or [email protected].
Name: Barbara P. Godfrey
State of Issue: New York
Date of Birth: Tuesday July 05, 1910
Date of Death: Tuesday February 04, 2003
Est. Age at Death: 92 years, 6 months, 30 days
Confirmation: Verified
Last known residence:
City: Newtown Square
County: Delaware
State: Pennsylvania
ZIP Code: 19073
Barbara P.L. Godfrey, 92, former Swarthmore teacher
By Sally A. Downey INQUIRER STAFF WRITER
Posted: February 09, 2003
Barbara Pearson Lange Godfrey, 92, a former drama teacher at Swarthmore College, who was dean of women at the school during the turbulent '60s, died Tuesday at White Horse Village, a retirement community in Newtown Square.
Mrs. Godfrey was born on the campus of Swarthmore College, where her father was professor of public speaking. As a girl, she performed in summer plays he produced under tents in towns around the state. She and her three siblings attended Swarthmore - her oldest brother, Drew, became a celebrated newspaper columnist.
After two years at Swarthmore, she transferred to the Yale Drama School, where she met her husband, Gordon Lange, a writer and actor. They married in 1932.
She returned to Swarthmore with her husband and for 17 years, she taught drama and public speaking and directed theater - including an annual Shakespeare play - at the college.
In a 1999 article in the Swarthmore College Bulletin, she spoke about the student productions, "in those days there was no credit for it, but the students did it all - sewing costumes, building sets, lighting, performing."
In 1962, two years after Swarthmore College honored her for "distinctive contribution to the life of the community," Mrs. Godfrey was appointed dean of women.
"I was asked because I was so friendly with the students," she said. But once the students she had taught graduated, she said, "I became the enemy. There were young women who didn't speak to me."
Some rebellious students, however, later thanked her for being a mediator between them and their distressed parents.
After seven years as dean, Mrs. Godfrey was director of career planning and placement for several years until she retired in the early 1970s.
While serving in administrative positions, Mrs. Godfrey continued to direct the yearly faculty production and directed a play for Swarthmore's centennial in 1964.
Her niece, Barbara Grove, said her aunt was a patron of the People's Light and Theatre Company in Malvern and was a subscriber to the Philadelphia Orchestra. She enjoyed attending New York theater and organized a play-reading group at White Horse Village, where she had lived since 1990.
"She was glamorous and had a dramatic flair," her niece said. "But she was a warm person and made friends easily."
Mrs. Godfrey's first husband died in 1979. She later married Warren Godfrey, who died in 1983. She is survived by daughters Julie Hall and Josie Seymour; a son, Jonathan Lange; 13 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Feb. 22 at Swarthmore Friends Meeting, where she was a lifelong member. Burial is private.
Contact staff writer Sally A. Downey at 215-854-2913 or [email protected].
Name: Barbara P. Godfrey
State of Issue: New York
Date of Birth: Tuesday July 05, 1910
Date of Death: Tuesday February 04, 2003
Est. Age at Death: 92 years, 6 months, 30 days
Confirmation: Verified
Last known residence:
City: Newtown Square
County: Delaware
State: Pennsylvania
ZIP Code: 19073
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