Wellesley — Laura Godtfredsen, 83, a longtime resident of Wellesley, died Monday, May 1, 2017 at the Seasons Hospice in Milton.
Born in 1933 in Oakland, CA, Laura received a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Berkeley in 1955, a Master’s Degree in Political Science from the University of New Hampshire in 1960 and a Ph. D in Political Science from Tufts University in 1969.
Laura taught at Babson College for more than 30 years after being a specialist for the 513th Military Intelligence Brigade in the US Army. Laura was a certified Translator and Interpretor in Serbo-Croation and could speak six languages, including Thai, which she learned while teaching at Payap University in Chang Mai, Thailand. She was a passionate educator, world traveler and activist.
She is survived by her beloved partner Melanie Drozdowski, her three children, Arne Godtfredsen and his wife Heidi, Marika Trantanella and Taavo Godtfredsen and his wife Julie, her grandchildren Kristin Gvazdauskas and her husband Keith , Dana Godtfredsen, Alex Trantanella, Viive Godtfredsen and Bodie Godtfredsen, and her great grandchildren Shea Gvazdauskas, and Cohen Gvazdauskas.
Memorial gifts may be made to WGBH (Boston).
A private service will be held in her honor.