Godsoe, Dale

Halifax, NS

June 15, 1944 - December 06, 2025

Dale Godsoe is remembered as an educator, community leader, and tireless champion for women’s equality whose impact is woven into the educational, cultural, and civic life of Nova Scotia and Canada.

Born in Halifax, Dale was a three-time graduate of Dalhousie University (BA 1965, BEd 1966, MEd 1987), where she later went on to serve as Vice-President External for over a decade. She began her career as a teacher, then spent many years in leadership roles in the philanthropic and social impact sectors.

Dale’s public work was intertwined with a rich family life. She shared a deep partnership with her late husband, J. Gerald (“Gerry”) Godsoe, a prominent lawyer and public policy leader.

Together they raised three daughters, Suzanne (Eric Henry), Stacey (Leif Helmer) and Laura (Matt Reeder), and created the J. Gerald Godsoe Scholarship in Law at Dalhousie University to support students with a passion for public policy, continuing Gerry’s legacy of service to the public good. Dale’s commitment to public education and good governance was evident early on. She served as chair of the Halifax School Board, and later as chair of the Board of Governors at Mount Saint Vincent University (MSVU), where she was recognized with an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters in 1997. She was also featured in MSVU’s “18 Inspiring Women” installation in the Margaret Norrie McCain Centre for Teaching and Learning, highlighting her transformative impact as a volunteer and board chair.

She also served as Chair of the Board 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, honouring her as a board chair whose calm presence, inclusive approach, and steady governance helped the university navigate challenging times and build a more cohesive and diverse community.

Beyond campus, Dale devoted much of her life to strengthening the non-profit and cultural sectors. She served on, and often chaired, boards for organizations across Canada, including YWCA Canada, Imagine Canada, the National Arts Centre, the National Ballet School, Canadian Centre for Philanthropy, Women in Media Foundation, and Imagine Canada. In Nova Scotia, she chaired the board of Develop Nova Scotia (previously the Waterfront Development Corporation), QEII Foundation, Halifax Metro United Way, and HRMbyDESIGN, Halifax Regional Plan and Centre Plan.

Her work with Symphony Nova Scotia became one of her signature contributions. As a long-time subscriber, board member and later chair of the Symphony Nova Scotia Foundation, Dale led the “Listen to the Future” endowment campaign, helping to build a fund of more than $11 million to secure the orchestra’s future for generations to come.

Dale’s influence extended into civic life and even electoral politics: she was a lifelong member of the Liberal Party of Canada and stood as a Liberal candidate in the 1984 Nova Scotia general election, demonstrating her willingness to bring her values and experience directly into the public arena. Dale could always be counted on for a spirited debate on politics at all levels, something her family knows well.

In recognition of her extraordinary public service, Dale was appointed as a Member of the Order of Canada in 1998. 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.

Away from boardrooms and campaign meetings, Dale was a devoted mother and grandmother who loved to spend time with her family, often quietly, without fanfare. She cherished her time with her seven grandchildren (Rowan, Devon, & Freja Godsoe Helmer, Luc & Paul Henry, and Willa & Eleanor Godsoe-Reeder) who knew her as “Dai.”

Dale was also an avid reader, an excellent cook, a competent fly fisher, and an adventurous world traveller, travelling to more than 40 countries over the course of her life with family and friends, diving into local culture, art and cuisine and always returning with a suitcase full of colourful mementos from her trips.

Those who worked closely with Dale have described her as a fearless feminist, a tireless community leader, a generous donor and a wise, unflappable chair — someone who could navigate difficult conversations with tact, listen deeply to differing perspectives and keep people focused on the larger mission. She was also a mentor to many women and younger leaders. Her greatest gift was empowering others, and she lived by her own words: “Use your voice. For it matters. And use it in service of those who may not have a voice.”

A celebration of Dale’s life will be held in the spring. If you wish to honour Dale’s legacy of giving, please consider a donation to an organization that reflects the values Dale held dear.