Althea V. Godfrey; Former Store Owner

Althea Virginia Godfrey, the former owner of Althea’s in Ventura, died Wednesday at her home in Ojai after an extended illness. She was 84.

Godfrey was born Oct. 11, 1915, in Palmetto, Fla., where she grew up.

After moving to Los Angeles, she attended various orthopedic schools. She moved to Ventura in 1939 and in 1946 opened Althea’s Corsets & Orthopedics. She operated the store for 43 years before retiring in 1989.

She was a member of St. Thomas Aquinas Church, the Altrusa Club, and other business and professional organizations. In addition, she served on numerous boards and committees for St. Joseph’s Health and Retirement Center, where she was a volunteer and fund-raiser.

She also enjoyed fishing and gardening.

She is survived by her brother, Raymond Cloud of Florida, and a grandson.

Godfrey was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Clarence “Bud” Godfrey, in 1987.

Visitation will be today beginning at 3:30 p.m. in the chapel of St Joseph’s Health and Retirement Center in Ojai. Mass is scheduled at 10 a.m. at the chapel.

Interment will follow at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park in Ventura.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to St. Joseph’s Health and Retirement Center.

Arrangements are under the direction of Joseph P. Reardon Funeral Home in Ventura.