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Govoni was born in Dover, N.H., on Dec. 1, 1957 to Robert and Gloria Plourde. After attending Dover High School, she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in painting from the University of New Hampshire. She furthered her studies at the Kansas City Art Institute, the Boston Art Institute and the Rhode Island School of Design.
A versatile painter and illustrator, Govoni landed her first job in 1979 at Hallmark Cards in Kansas City, planning and designing premier greeting card lines and going on to design products for leading stationery, gift and paper tableware companies in the United States and England. While freelancing in New York City, she wrote and designed eight baby books, including a number of best-sellers for Random House.
As a consulting art director for C.R. Gibson in Norwalk, she spearheaded the development of numerous product lines and revamped the firm's entire Christmas/holiday boxed card business.
Govoni's last project was called Modern Botanicals, a collection of limited edition prints, fueled by her love of nature, vibrant color and the intimate observation of line, shape and unfolding organic forms. A number of those works were on display at stores in New Canaan and Nantucket at the time of her death.
In 2003, the Rowayton Civic Association chose her design for commemorative T-shirts sold at its biggest fundraiser, the River Ramble.
Govini is survived by her husband Stephen; his two young children, Neil and Claire; her brother, Robert Plourde Jr., of Dover, N.H.; her stepsister-in-law Jane Rudden of Albany, N.Y.; and many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
Calling hours will be 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 8, at the Edward Lawrence Funeral Home, 2119 Post Road, Darien. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 9, at the United Church of Rowayton, 210 Rowayton Ave., Rowayton. Pastor Jennifer Morrow will officiate. Burial will follow at Spring Grove Cemetery, Darien.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Sarcoma Alliance for Research Through Collaboration (SARC), 24 Frank Lloyd Wright Drive, Lobby A, Suite 3100, Ann Arbor, MI 48106.
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