Jeanne Godfrey Mudge Sturley

Jeanne "Boots" Godfrey (Mudge) Sturley, 90, died at the Meadowood Retirement Community, Bloomington, Indiana on August 11, 2015. Boots was born June 17, 1925, in Edwardsville, IL, the daughter of Frank Godfrey, Sr. and Eleanor (Boeschenstein) Godfrey. Boots lived in Edwardsville, Illinois most of her life, moving to Bloomington, Indiana in 2012 to be closer to her younger daughter. She graduated from Northwestern in 1947 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science. Boots married Dick H. Mudge, Jr., July 20, 1946. Boots and Dick were active in local and state politics, and served as Illinois delegates to the Democratic National Convention in 1968 and 1972. They enjoyed many adventures and a rich family life, raising four children together. After Dick's untimely death in 1978, Boots married Eric A. Sturley, October 16, 1981. They travelled extensively, and prized their 28 years together before Eric's death at age 94 in 2010. Boots loved to travel. Some of Boots' favorite adventures included trips toPeru, China, Wales, Mexico, and New Zealand. Her elder daughter and granddaughter moved to Cape Breton, Nova Scotia in the early 1970s. Through the years, Boots spent many happy summers there with them. Boots was passionate about politics, a strong advocate for civil rights, and a charter member of the Edwardsville League of Women Voters. A lifelong musician, Boots played piano, sang with the Edwardsville Episcopal Church choir, and later with the Meadowood Singers in Bloomington. Boots began playing the guitar in her forties and was a member of the Edwardsville Ladies String and Tympani Ensemble. Boots had a sparkling wit, enduring curiosity, and an intrepid willingness to try new things. She was always good company, a lively conversationalist, and keenly interested in current affairs and the lives of family and friends. Boots loved living close to and contemplating the natural environment around her, observing nature with her binoculars always close at hand. Boots is survived by four children: Carolyn Mudge (Daniel Côté) of Cape Breton, Suzanne Mudge (Mary Ziskin) of Bloomington, IN, Dick H. Mudge, III (Amy Prentiss) of Sacramento, CA, and Thomas G. Mudge (Anastasia Mudge) of Waterloo, IL; stepchildren Ann Sturley, Winifred Sturley, and John Sturley (Janet Sturley); ten grandchildren, Ann Morrison (John Gillis), Nicholas Mudge (Vivian Lo Mudge), Yuri Launitz, Ilya Launitz (Rebecca Kirk Launitz), Shane Launitz, James Smith(Traci Smith), Jason Smith, Ryan Sturley, Mark Sturley, and Paige Sturley; five great-grandchildren, Chloe Mudge, Zoe Mudge, Isla Kirk Launitz, Greer Smith, and Gwen Smith; sisters-in-law Barbara S. Godfrey, Janis B. Godfrey, and Beverly F. Gorman; and sixteen beloved nieces and nephews, and their offspring from the Godfrey, Mudge, and Gorman families. Widowed twice, Boots was preceded in death by Dick H. Mudge, Jr. and Eric A. Sturley. Two brothers, Frank Godfrey, Jr. and Charles B. Godfrey, also preceded her in death. A family burial service will be held in the spring. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.allenfuneralhome.org

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Jeanne Godfrey Mudge Sturley

June 17, 1925 - August 11, 2015