Elizabeth Ann “Betty” Hodge, 90, passed away Monday, December 12, 2022 at the Saint Elizabeth Home in East Greenwich, surrounded by her family and listening as her son read the 23rd psalm from her Bible, which she always kept nearby.
Born in Providence, she was the oldest child of Rosamond (Talty) and Edward Flynn. Her grandparents, the Flynns and Taltys, were immigrants from Ireland, and worked as shopkeepers, policemen, trolley conductors, and laborers. Her early years were shaped by the Great Depression and WWII. As a child she spent happy summers with her extended family in the Longmeadow neighborhood of Warwick, a short walk from the beach.
Betty was always a good student and graduated from Classical High School in 1950. Her artistic talents gained her admission to the Rhode Island School of Design where she met a fellow art student from New Hampshire, her future husband, Philip Allan Hodge. Philip eventually had a career at Anson, Inc. designing men’s jewelry, while Betty cared for their seven children, Nancy E. Green (John), Kathleen H. Devault (John), Steven A. Hodge (Ulie), Edward P. Hodge (Jeannine), Matthew P. Hodge (Carol), Teresa A. Lengyel (Steven), and Christopher M. Hodge (Nova). Her family has since blossomed to include seventeen grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren!
Betty was kind and generous, and determined to live out her faith. Despite her crowded house she opened her home to young people in need. She was active in several churches and continued her Bible study at home. She loved nature and animals, and had dogs, cats, pigeons, and even ducks who roamed freely in the big backyard that faced a brook and woods. Betty applied her design sense to making her house beautiful, planting a garden and encouraging her children’s creativity.
Betty and Philip were married for over 50 years until his death in 2011. She always had faith they would be reunited and it was her hope that some day her family would be together in Heaven. Besides her children she is survived by her brother, Michael and his wife Joanna, and her sister Rosemary and her husband George. She was predeceased by her sister, Joan Marsula, also sadly missed. Betty’s memory is a blessing to her large extended family and many friends.
Visitation was held Monday, December 19, 2022 from 11am-12pm, followed by a service at 12pm in the Thomas & Walter Quinn Funeral Chapel, 2435 Warwick Ave., Warwick. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Saint Elizabeth Home, 1 Saint Elizabeth Way, East Greenwich, RI 02818 or at https://stelizabethcommunity.org/giving-support/donate-now.
For information and condolences, visit www.TheQuinnFuneralHome.com
