Sandra Wells Godecker

Sandra Wells Godecker, aged 77, passed away peacefully on May 22, 2025. Sandy will be remembered as a beloved wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, sister-in-law, educator, and dear friend to many.

Sandy was born in Covington, KY on May 24, 1947, and adopted by Gertie and Genevieve Wells of Central City, KY. An only child, Sandy grew up in Central City, where she graduated from Muhlenberg Central High School in 1965. She played piano and organ, sang, was a band majorette, and played flute in the marching band. Sandy spent her freshman year of college at Georgetown University and then transferred to the University of Kentucky in Lexington. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in business and merchandising from the University of Kentucky in 1970 and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Spalding University in Louisville in 1975. She was loving, accepting, outgoing, generous, joyful, kind, wise, forgiving, strong and hard-working.

Sandy fell in love with her husband of 56 years, Robert Joseph Godecker, her junior year of college. Bob and Sandy were married on November 9,1968, at Ascension Catholic Church in Louisville, KY. Bob’s parents (Marjorie and Robert Godecker, Sr.) and siblings -- Sharon (Robert) McFarlane, Barbara (Robert) Dunne, Frederick (Mary Lynn) Godecker, and Nancy (John) Minieri -- welcomed Sandy into their family immediately and Sandy became a beloved “outlaw.” Their first child, Amy, was born in 1969, with Jeffrey following in 1971. Sandy loved and was a wonderful mother-in-law to Amy’s husband, Eric Grodsky. Sandy retired soon after Amy and Eric adopted their children, Jacob Grodsky and Elliot Grodsky, from Guatemala so that she could shower her grandchildren with a steady, expansive love. Sandy was an invaluable help for Amy and Eric with care of the children during visits to first Davis, CA and then St. Paul, MN and Madison, WI. The annual “Camp Kentucky” that started when the kids were in elementary school became a summer highlight for both grandparents and grandchildren even as the kids entered college.

Sandy was a devoted educator for over three decades. She first taught at Mary Queen of the Holy Rosary School, in Lexington, where she was Amy and Jeff’s fourth grade teacher. Sandy then became Principal of St. Peter School for several years before moving to Fayette County Public Schools. Sandy worked at Winburn Middle School and Yates Elementary before retiring in 2007. Sandy was a beloved teacher, administrator and colleague and developed and maintained close lifelong friendships with other educators at each school. It is a testimony to the durability of these bonds that Sandy's hospice room witnessed a parade of many of the finest educators to work in Fayette County schools.

Sandy loved to travel and explored the world with her family and friends. She was also an avid supporter of local theater and music, including as a volunteer usher at the Lexington Opera House for over 10 years. She regularly attended Woodford Theater, Picnic with the Pops, Woodsongs and proudly supported Jeffrey’s choruses, Our Voice Milwaukee and Perfect Harmony, in Wisconsin.

An educator to the core, for Sandy everything was a teachable moment. She wanted her life to be meaningful so that she would have an impact even when she was gone. She had a strong sense of right and wrong but was also quick to forgive. She sought to fashion a more just world, one person at a time. She made friends wherever she went. Sandy will be deeply missed by her family and friends.

Sandy was preceded in death by Gertie and Genevieve Wells.

Sandy wished to be cremated. Services celebrating her life will occur on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at Clark Legacy Center—Brannon Crossing. The celebration-of-life service will begin at 1:00 p.m., to be followed by a celebration-of-life gathering with food and refreshments, which will conclude near 4:00 p.m.

Sandy was passionate about supporting local organizations, including those of the LGBTQ+ community. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Sandy’s name to AVOL (https://avolky.app.neoncrm.com/forms/donate), a grassroots healthcare organization, or to Bluegrass Care Navigators (https://www.bgcarenav.org/give), who provided excellent hospice care in accordance with Sandy’s wishes.