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Godsoe began her career as a schoolteacher. One of her former students at St. Agnes School in Halifax described her as very kind and a fun teacher. She carried those qualities forward to her next career in the philanthropic and social impact sectors, where her gentle tenacity propelled her into leadership positions.

Remaining connected to Dal

Godsoe spent 10 years as AV¾ãÀÖ²¿â€™s vice-president external. Her steadfastness and calm presence influenced and encouraged countless others, particularly women. While Godsoe retired from this staff role in 2006, she stayed involved with the university in many ways. These included fundraising for the AV¾ãÀÖ²¿ Arts Centre’s expansion, and serving as a member of the Stanfield Conversations Advisory Council. She also once served on the AV¾ãÀÖ²¿ Alumni Association Board. Additionally, Godsoe and her late husband, J. Gerald ("Gerry") Godsoe (LLB'68) — who was a prominent lawyer and public policy leader — together created the J. Gerald Godsoe Scholarship in Law at AV¾ãÀÖ²¿ to support students with a passion for public policy. 

Extensive board governance roles

Her extensive work with local and national boards reflected her lifelong commitments to public education and good governance. Godsoe chaired the Halifax School Board, and later the Board of Governors at Mount Saint Vincent University, where she was recognized with an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters in 1997. She was also board chair at the University of King's College, where she received the Order of the Ancient Commoner and an Honorary Doctor of Civil Laws in 2019.

Even while parenting her three daughters with Gerry, and later delighting in her seven beloved grandchildren, Godsoe never stopped strengthening the non-profit and cultural sectors. The board roles noted on her CV are too many to list in their entirety, but highlights include YWCA Canada, Imagine Canada, the National Arts Centre, the National Ballet School, Canadian Centre for Philanthropy, Women in Media Foundation, Imagine Canada, Develop Nova Scotia, QEII Foundation, Halifax Metro United Way, and HRMbyDESIGN. As chair of the Symphony Nova Scotia Foundation, Godsoe grew the "Listen to the Future" endowment campaign to a fund of more than $11 million, securing the orchestra's future for generations.

Recognizing a champion of women’s advancement

In recognition of her extraordinary public service, Godsoe was . The citation honoured her as a deeply committed community leader who advanced women's issues provincially, nationally and internationally, emphasizing her belief that women's economic independence is the cornerstone of equality. She was also a recipient of the Canada Volunteer Award and the Canadian Red Cross Humanitarian Award, which recognize both the breadth and the heart of her contributions.