Dolly Florence Elizabeth (Meikle) Hodgson

Dolly Florence Elizabeth Hodgson, age 92, child of the King of Kings, best mom ever, was gloriously welcomed into heaven Sun April 7th, 2019.  Dolly was known for her love of God, family, friends, life, and beautiful spirit.

She was born the 3rd of March 1927, in Chicago, Illinois to William and Grace Meikle.  Her older brothers, William and Robert, announced to all visitors, “come see mommy’s dolly”.  So when she was christened the parents gave the name Florence Elizabeth, but the minister pronounced Dolly Florence Elizabeth, she has been Dolly ever since.

Dolly survived tuberculous she contracted as an infant.  The TB made her childhood limited and stressful.  She was taught by her mother and tutors in her home.  As a young teenager she was able to start going to school graduating the eighth grade and went on to Carl Shurz High School, graduating in 1945.  Next, she started attending Illinois Wesleyan College.  She alternated times of working and college.

One summer, a close friend, Barbara Sigborn was going to Glacier National Park with her boyfriend.  Dolly went as a chaperone.  Dolly got a job as a model that summer.  Barbara’s boyfriend introduced her to a forest ranger named Bill Hodgson.  They fell in love in the gorgeous setting of Glacier National Park. Ahhh, so romantic!

When Dolly went back home, they really missed each other. Bill ended up driving to Chicago to ask Dolly to marry him.  Yes was the answer!  They were wed March 10, 1951. Bill and Dolly lived in Salt Lake City, Kearns and Murray Utah until 1964 when they moved to Albuquerque, NM.

She was proud of her five children William, Robert, Virginia, Elizabeth, and Scott.  She was the best mom ever, making sure they had a wonderful childhood filled with family trips, awesome and unique birthday parties, supporting them in school, music, sports, scouts and church programs.  She cared for everyone she met and many neighbor kids and her family friends saw her as a second mom.  She made the street we lived on a real neighborhood of friends.

Dolly came to know Christ at a young age.  She was a lifelong Methodist, since 1964 she was member of Asbury UMC.  She always sang in the choir.  Some of her favorite years were when she worked with Susan Black on youth musicals and accompanied them on tour.  They also put on summer children music day camps. Mom was in charge of the drama part. She also helped organize special events like progressive dinners and mystery dinners.  She helped with Vacation Bible School, made pies for the Asbury Café, and was involved in UMW going to national conventions.  She served on the Methodist district committee that organized senior events.   In recent years she knit 100s of baby sweaters for Guidepost missions and Navajo missions.

Additional interests included arts, crafts, quilting, travel, raising poodles, and theatre.  She was always ready to go on an adventure and traveled with family and friends to Alaska, Hawaii, national parks, Europe, Israel, Panamá, Caribbean, Italy, Greece, and all over the United States.

Dolly had many health problems and life events that brought out her overcomer attitude, a real trouper; she never gave up.  She taught and expected responsibility and excellence.  Her creative fun “let’s do it” ideas were inspiring.  Her children are thankful for her legacy of faith, her caring, giving and compassionate spirit that was experienced by everyone who knew her.  She enjoyed singing her whole life and we hear her singing the old hymns in our heads, and are comforted by her even now.

She is survived by her children, William, Robert (Nina), Virginia Opdyke (Ken), Elizabeth and Scott; her sister in law Dorothy Meikle.  She leaves 5 grandkids, Taylor (Laura), Wesley (Ambur), Andrew Hodgson, Jeff, and Chris Opdyke; great grandchildren Hunter, Holly, Ryder, Rylee, Robin, Finlay, Aurelia, and Calvin Hodgson.  She also leaves nieces and nephews, Holly, Merry, Carol (Mark), Joy (Jay), Bob (Carrie), Rick (Margie).  She was preceded in death by her husband William, her parents Grace and Bill Meikle, brothers William Meikle, sister in lay Dorothy Meikle, brother Robert Meikle, and granddaughter Danielle Opdyke.

A celebration of her life will be Saturday April 13, 2019, 4:00 p.m. at Asbury United Methodist Church, 10000 Candelaria Rd NE, Albuquerque, NM.

In lieu of flowers, continue to celebrate Dolly’s life by taking your friends and family out.