Juliet Hartley Godson

Juliet Hartley Godson passed away on August 27, 2023 at the age of 85, at the Hebrew Rehabilitation Center in Boston, MA. 

She was born Juliet Elizabeth Shilson Hartley, the daughter of William Ronald Hartley and Suzanne Elizabeth Shilson.  She grew up in Oxford, England with her mother and her brother Christopher, and eventually her stepfather, Roger Relton Goodbody (Roy).  Juliet was a gifted athlete and musician and an independent spirit who emigrated to the United States at the age of 21.  Juliet made her way to Boston where she found secretarial work at various medical institutes.  She met RIchard M. Waters soon after her arrival, and eventually married him and moved to Newton.  Juliet had two daughters, Suzanne and Elizabeth.  Juliet was a devoted wife and mother.  She also directed her prodigious energy to landscaping her gardens in Newton and Wellfleet, as well as playing the piano and competitive tennis. After the girls left home, Juliet coached tennis, field hockey and soccer at Winsor, BB&N and Dana Hall. Juliet’s husband Richard passed away in 1992. Mutual friends introduced Juliet to William H. Godson, whom Juliet later married. Juliet and Bill had many happy years together as empty nesters, traveling extensively to Europe and beyond and spending time at their homes in Newton, Wellfleet, and Bradenton, FL.  Bill passed away in 2021 and Juliet’s daughter Suzanne passed away in February 2023.  Juliet was deep in grief in her final months but persevered until the end. 

Juliet is survived by her daughter Elizabeth Waters, her son-in-law Price Floyd and three grandchildren, Matthew, Sabine and Benjamin.

There will be a service for Juliet at Eaton & Mackay In Newton on Sept. 9 at 11 AM.

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