Hodgson, Dorothy Olive
Dorothy Olive (Trent) Hodgson passed away peacefully ?at Qualicum Manor on December 7th, 2007?at the age of 110 years and 137 days
Dorothy was predeceased by her husband, Hugh in 1966 after 42 years of marriage. She was predeceased by her daughter-in-law Grace and granddaughter Linda. Dorothy was the last remaining member of her 10 siblings. She is survived by her six children: Fred (Erna), Dorothy (Harvey) Boyd, Chuck (Laverne), Audrey (Rusty) Rutledge, Skid (Pat), Pat (Norman) Henick, 17 grandchildren, 35 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren. Family was always important to Dorothy and many family members visited her frequently even though they live in places around the world. She will be sadly missed.
Dorothy was born on July 23, 1897 in Essex, England. She spent her early years in a girl’s boarding school as her mother died when she was only 4 years old. Upon leaving school at 14 she worked as a nanny. Later she found employment in Windsor Castle as a cook’s helper, then as a clerk in a tea store. Her family had ?immigrated to Melfort, Sask. so she followed in 1921. It was in 1924 while working in the bank at Perdue, Sask. that she met Hugh Hodgson. They farmed for a few years before being devastated by the depression and drought. Hugh joined the army in 1939 and spent the next 5 years in England leaving Dorothy to raise their six children. After the war they moved to Madison, Sask. and operated the local phone office. Years were also spent in Calgary, Didsbury, Alberta and Victoria. In 1999 Dorothy moved to Qualicum Beach to be near her two daughters, Dorothy and Audrey. She resided in her own apartment until she was 107 when she took up residence at Qualicum Manor in Qualicum Beach. Dorothy was active physically and mentally until recently when her sight and hearing declined. It was a common sight to see her at her table in her room at ‘the Manor’ writing short poems or painting flowers on small gift cards. She also loved to play cards and was playing up until 2 weeks before she passed away. One of the highlights of her life was when she celebrated the new millennium in 2000 having lived in 3 different centuries.
The family is grateful for the loving care she ?received from the staff of Qualicum Manor. ?Thanks, also, to Dr. John Atherstone who ?kept her going to become a supercentenarian. ? A Celebration of Life service will be held on ?Saturday, January 12th, 2008 at 2:00 at ?St. Mark’s Anglican Church, Qualicum Beach.
In lieu of flowers anyone wishing to make a donation in honor of Dorothy’s life may do so through the family who have set up a special memorial fund, or donate to your favorite charity. Donations can be sent to Harvey Boyd #206-3156 Island Highway, West, Qualicum Beach, BC V9K 2J7.