Michelle Lynn Godfrey (Lattanzio)

Michelle Lynn Godfrey (Lattanzio) passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 11th, 2025, surrounded by her loving family and friends. For nearly three years, Michelle had been well-cared for by Dana Farber and Brigham & Women’s hospital (BWH) as they treated her stage 4 Melanoma. She was at BWH in Boston when she decided it was time to reunite with her brother Johnny, who in big-brother fashion, had gone ahead to lead the way.

Born April 9th, 1969 in Rhode Island, Michelle lived in Norwood and Dedham before her family planted roots in her “hometown” of Walpole, MA. There, she lived happily with her mother Judy, brother Johnny, and stepfather Bob. At Walpole High, she bonded with her soon to be lifelong friends, an experience she would “do over in a heartbeat.” After graduating, she attended Northeastern University and later Mt. Ida College to study interior design.

Following a stint as a pharmacy technician, Michelle put her degree to use, working in high-end furniture showrooms and consulting with interior designers. She worked many years at the Boston design center, while living in her perfectly decorated (and immaculately clean!) “Southie” apartment which she cherished. For a time, she also worked at a design showroom in Laguna Niguel, when her adventurous spirit brought her to California. She was lucky in that she truly adored her work. With her impeccable taste, she learned the business quickly and was highly respected in her profession.

Her next chapter began with the love of her life, Bill. Often heard calling Michelle his “Everything” or “Blue Eyes,” Bill, who is Canadian, was her perfect match. She married Bill, and they built a life together outside Ottawa. She adored her two new stepsons Michael and Bobby, and they welcomed their beloved daughter Rachael to the family in 2007. Completing the family were their treasured German Shepherds, Giacomo and Gina, named after Boston restaurants from their dating years. Not surprisingly, her home in Manotick was an absolute showpiece, and her kitchen design was literally award-winning.

A true Boston girl at heart, Michelle convinced her love to bring the family back home to the US in 2020. They settled in Wellesley, MA, not too far from the airport for Bill, and not too far from Michelle’s dear mom, Judy, whom she spoke with everyday. Michelle created a new home for her family, and they continued to raise their sweet Rachael, who is off to college in Canada next year. Their new German Shepherd, Sinatra (named after one of her favorite singers), happily spent his days as Michelle’s shadow.

Cancer entered their lives after Christmas, 2022, but it never defined her. All it succeeded in doing was to highlight Michelle’s most identifiable qualities: her strength, finding joy despite hardship, selflessness, and absolute vigilance in making sure her family and friends suffered as little as possible. Her final wishes were for everyone to heal and be happy. When she knew there were no more options, she was impatient to leave, wanting her loved ones to start their healing process as soon as possible. That’s Michelle.

Michelle lived for her husband and daughter, to love her family and friends, to laugh hard, to dote on her animals, to enjoy good food and wine, to cherish music of all kinds, to celebrate Christmas!, and to focus on the positive, always. Our gratitude for having her in our lives is impossible to put into words. Until we meet again, Michelle Lynn.

Michelle is survived by her husband Bill Godfrey, her daughter Rachael Godfrey, her stepsons Michael Godfrey (and wife Lanna) and Bobby Godfrey (and wife Hanna), and her mother Judith Shilowski (Humora). She is also survived by her grandmother Muriel (“GG”) Humora, her grandchildren Vivienne, Caroline, and Spencer, her 9 best elephants, her handsome man-dog Sinatra, and many loving aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends on both sides of the border.

Michelle is predeceased by her devoted brother Johnny, her dear stepfather Robert Shilowski, and loving grandparents Edward Humora, and John and Aurora Lattanzio.

Family and friends are cordially invited to attend Visitation on FRIDAY, November  28, 2025, from 3:00 pm until 7:00 pm in the Kraw-Kornack Funeral Home, 1248 Washington Street, Norwood, MA.

Michelle’s Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on SATURDAY, November 29, 2025, at 10:30 am in St. Timothy Catholic Church, 650 Nichols Street, Norwood. KINDLY MEET DIRECTLY AT CHURCH.

Michelle will be laid to rest at Knollwood Memorial Park, High Street, Canton.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Michelle's name may be made to the Massachusetts MSPCA directly at https://support.mspca.org/site/Donation2?df_id=24020&mfc_pref=T&24020.donation=form