Alice H Hodgen

Alice Dodge Hodgen, age 102, passed away peacefully at the Evergreens on October 2, 2018. She lived a long and active life. Those who knew her marveled at her zest for life. She was born in Gloucester, NJ on March 31, 1916, and graduated from high school in Gloucester, MA. She attended Wheaton College in Norton, MA, graduating in 1938, with a degree in Biology. She worked as a Medical Technologist at Beverly Hospital in Beverly, MA and Lederle Laboratory in Pearl River, NY. She was married to our father, Alden Reginald Hodgen, on August 10, 1943. She continued to work while he was overseas, serving in the Army in the European Theater of World War II. Upon his return, they resumed married life, living in Moorestown, NJ. She continued her education, becoming a substitute teacher for Moorestown Township Public Schools for many years. She was active in her church, First Presbyterian Church of Moorestown, as well as many other organizations, including S.T.E.M., Red Cross, Girl Scouts, and AAUW. She was on the committee to form the very first Strawberry Festival at First Presbyterian in 1957, and had been actively involved with that over the years, baking countless cakes and selling tickets. She was also the last surviving Charter Member of Sunnybrook Swim Club, and enjoyed a lifetime of summers there with both family and friends. She picked up the hobby of golf at age 70, and retained membership at Moorestown Field Club for the rest of her life. Mom enjoyed traveling, having visited so many countries: China, Tibet, Africa, Egypt, Turkey, Germany, France, Norway, Spain, Italy, Sicily, England, Ireland, Japan, Bahamas, Bermuda, and Mexico. As a family, we made a couple cross-country camping trips, seeing many State Parks and landmarks. She was an avid reader and card player, having been a member of a ladies’ book club and a bridge club for over 50 years. Family was the most important part of her life. Her favorite place on earth was Gloucester, Massachusetts. She spent countless summers, visiting with her sister (Jean) and brother (Richard) on Plum Court. She loved swimming off “the rocks” and searching for beach glass, as well as swimming at Plum Cove Beach. She spent two weeks every summer at “the cottage” with family. Her grandchildren will remember countless games of Skip Bo around the table in the cottage. She loved steamed lobster, served with Virgilio’s bread. Her second favorite place to go was Sarasota, Florida, where she spent many winters on Siesta Key, golfing, swimming, and enjoying the sun. She will be greatly missed by so many friends and family. She was preceded in death by her husband, Alden, and three of her children, Steven, Timothy John, and Catherine Earle. She is survived by her three living children, Donald Alden Hodgen (Maria), Paul Isaac Hodgen (Mary), and Patricia Hodgen Leupold (William). She has nine grandchildren and nine greatgrandchildren. Memorial service 2 pm Friday Oct. 19th at the Chapel of the Evergreens, 309 Bridgeboro Rd. Moorestown, NJ. Interment will be Private. Please no flowers Memorial contributions to the First Presbyterian Church of Moorestown, 101 Bridgeboro, Rd. Moorestown, NJ 08057