Monica (Simm) Godin

Monica Simm Godin

June 15, 1926 – July 20, 2025

Monica Simm Godin, longtime Fitchburg resident and loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, slipped peacefully away from this life on Sunday evening after a gradual decline in her health. Daughter of spirited English emigrants to New Zealand Frederick and Mary (Parr) Simm, Monica courageously emigrated to the United States in 1946 to join her beloved John H. (Jean) Godin, Jr. whom she married in January 1944. She fell for the dashing United States Army medic she met on a beach in Auckland while listening to Glenn Miller records.  Jean predeceased her in 1991.

Love for music followed Monica throughout her life: winner of several Dominion medals for excellence in cello in her youth, she spent her married years listening to those same Big Band crooners as she and Jean raised Janice Mary and Glenn Steven with the help and support of in-laws and friends. Her tastes evolved with the times: she did not shy away from admitting her crush on Harry Connick, Jr. as technology and life wound forward and records and 8-tracks paved the way for cassettes and compact discs. Her family finds solace knowing that a hospice music social worker accompanied her in her peaceful final hours.

A meticulous housekeeper and generous hostess, Monica loved hosting Thanksgiving and selflessly spent hours making sure everything was “just so.” Always ready for a cup of tea (but certainly not “dah-jeeling!”), she was devoted to family and friends and could always be found either playing cards, sitting watch at weekly Eucharist adorations or clipping coupons with serrated scissors.

Returning to her native Herne Bay for the first time in 1968, she and Jean returned several times in the decades to follow and always enjoyed visits in Colorado, California, or Hawaii  along the way. Travel was always a favorite occupation and subject of conversation; nothing in the skies could beat “her” L-1011.

Before sickness stole her independence, Monica’s early widowhood found her volunteering at St. Francis Church, tending to family memorials in city cemeteries and maintaining correspondence with family, and with one particular cousin in Lancashire, England whom she never met.  She corresponded with him devotedly for over fifty years.

Monica is survived by her daughter Janice Bouchard and her husband Kenneth, and her son Glenn Godin and his wife Wini Schiff.  She also leaves six grandchildren, Julie Bouchard and husband Curtiss Barnes, Glenn Bouchard, Matthew Bouchard and wife Mary Jacques, Christopher Bouchard and partner Jérôme Vlna, Samuel Godin and Nella Godin, and three great-granddaughters Emily, Julia and Caroline Barnes.  Monica was also predeceased by her parents and siblings, all of whom lived out their lives in New Zealand.

There are no calling hours.  A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Leo’s Church, 108 Main Street, Leominster, on Saturday, July 26, 2025 at 11 am.  Interment will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, 486 Clarendon St. Fitchburg, MA. All are welcome to attend the Mass and should meet at the church on Saturday.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Worcester County Food Bank, 474 Boston Turnpike, Shrewsbury, MA  01545

The Lavery Chartrand Alario Funeral Home, 99 Summer Street, Fitchburg is directing. 

Michael S. Alario - Director - Owner