GODOW, Ruth B.

The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona, Thursday, April 16, 2015 Ruth B. Godow Prescott has lost a beautiful voice. Ruth B. Godow passed away very early in the morning on April 8, 2015. Ruth is survived by Lionel, her loving husband of 66 years; and three children, Michael, Diana and Sharon. Ruth was born in Sacramento, California to parents, Morton and Elsa Bierly and raised along with twin brothers, William and Willard. At 17, she moved to Chicago to train with voice coach, John Daggett Howell and sing with the Chicago Opera Company. It was there that she met the love of her life, Lionel. This began a life-long love story, with a shared love of music and performing. They performed many times together and Ruth did multiple appearances with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, as well as singing opera in Germany and Austria. She received her degree from Roosevelt University in Chicago, while raising her three children. Ruth had many business achievements as well, including being one of the first female members of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange to trade on the trading floor, holding her own amongst 100 plus shouting traders, trading commodities. She then opened her own Real Estate office in Winnetka, Illinois, a lovely suburb North of Chicago. After Ruth and Lionel retired to Prescott in 1990, they gave multiple recitals and concerts for the benefit of local musical organizations, including the Symphony Guild. Ruth was an active member of the Art Docents and sang for local religious organizations and was also an avid hiker. She became an active and well respected voice coach, who's students included many Prescottonians, some of whom received scholarships. Ruth was also an active library patron. Ruth's sparkle and loving personality will be missed greatly, as well as her beautiful voice, which gave us so much joy! Information provided by survivors.