Obituary of Douglas Munder Godine

April 27, 1934 – December 24, 2025

Douglas Munder Godine Sr. a former real estate developer died peacefully at home on December 24. He was 91 years old. Born in Baltimore, he was the son of Leonard V. Godine, an insurance executive, and Emilie M. Godine, a homemaker.

Mr. Godine graduated from Gilman School in 1953 and attended the University of Virginia, receiving a BA in 1957. At Virginia, he was the President of Delta Kappa Epsilon Fraternity, Student Council Vice President, a member of the 333 Committee, as well as the IMP Society (President), the Eli Banana Society (President), and the 7 Society. Mr. Godine was also named an All-American lacrosse player for UVA in 1955.

Following graduation, he served in the U.S. Army as First Lieutenant. He married Ellen Hurst of Charlottesville, Virginia in 1960 and began his long career in real estate development at The Rouse Company, a shopping mall and community developer in Baltimore and later, Columbia, MD.  He became a Senior Vice President, leading the Sales and Marketing Division and was responsible for all land sales and the initial planning of Columbia. He was the Maryland Director of the International Council of Shopping Centers and board member of the Urban Land Institute. In 1979, he formed his own real estate development company, Godine & Stunda with a Rouse friend. They developed Station Square in Pittsburgh, PA, a national award-winning retail center, Loews hotel in Annapolis, and two joint venture projects in Springfield, MA and Princeton, NJ. In 1996, Mr. Godine joined Prime Retail contributing to the leasing and development of their outlet malls throughout the US. In 2003, his career came full circle when he returned to Columbia, joining GGP (General Growth Partners) as Vice President, where he managed the development of the company's 21 mid-Atlantic malls and became the General Manager of Columbia responsible for the redevelopment of the Town Center.

Doug and Ellen Godine were blessed with three children, Kathy, Mary Brooke and Doug Jr. When Brooke began struggling in school and was diagnosed with a learning disability, little was known about how to teach children with dyslexia. A group of concerned and caring parents met regularly to learn more about dyslexia and its treatment from Joyce Bilgrave M Ed., David Malin M Ed. and Dr. Roger Saunders, all specialists in the field. They decided that their children deserved to be supported in their education, and created a school that would have qualified teachers and learning specialist who could foster unique and creative learning styles for these children. Thanks to Joyce, David, Roger and these dedicated parents, The Jemicy School was created, opening its doors to 51 students in 1974. Jemicy is now recognized as one of the nation's first day schools for students with dyslexia and a leading institution in the educational field. Doug described his involvement with the inception of the Jemicy School as "one of the most significant endeavors of [his] life."

In addition to the love of his life Ellen, Doug loved the game of golf. He played well and played often. He participated in many Green Spring Valley Hunt Club vs. Elkridge Club golf tournaments and won in 1968 – right-handed, and again years later left-handed, when back pain caused him to switch from a right-handed swing to a left-handed swing. He was also a founding member of the Niblick Golfing Society whose enthusiastic members traveled to Great Britain, Scotland, Ireland, and throughout the United States to play the greatest golf courses and to revel in their love of golf and in the company of each other.

Doug also enjoyed watching the Orioles, Ravens, UVA football, basketball, and lacrosse, and especially loved cheering for his grandchildren on the sports fields (despite professing to never understand the rules of women's lacrosse.) He loved to travel with friends and family, especially to a beach, Virginia Beach and Anguilla, BVI being his favorites. In his retirement he focused his energies on cultivating an extensive vegetable and cutting garden offering the fruits of his labors to all visitors, and on being a devoted grandparent. Throughout his long life, he took the responsibility of offering libation to all and selecting "marvelous" dining venues very seriously. He was a gracious gentleman, and his smile will be remembered by all who met him.

Mr. Godine is survived by his wife of 65 years, Ellen Hurst Godine, a sister, Linda Long, a daughter, Kathy Godine Phillips, a son, Doug Godine, Jr. and his wife, Corie Williams Godine and five "wonderful" grandchildren Katherine Phillips, Walker Phillips, Douglas Godine III, William Godine, and Caroline Godine. He is predeceased by his brother, Richard Godine and daughter, Mary Brooke Godine. The Celebration of Life date has yet to be determined.

In lieu of flowers, donations made to the Mary Brooke Godine Memorial Fund at the Jemicy School would be greatly appreciated.

Jemicy School 11 Celadon Road, Owings Mills, MD 21117 https://jemicyschool.givingfuel.com/jemicyfund