Barbara E. Hodgkins' Obituary
Barbara Elaine (Davis) Hodgkins of Hendersonville, NC passed away peacefully July 2nd, 2022, at American House in Spring Lake, MI at the age of 95.
Barbara was born in Winchester, MA, and spent her childhood in nearby Pawtuxet, RI, later residing in East Brunswick, NJ before retiring to Hendersonville, NC. She attended the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) where she received a BS in Art Education and would eventually pursue a career as a district art teacher in Old Bridge Township, NJ. She later returned to school to obtain her masters and teach primary school in the same district until her retirement from teaching. Following graduation from RISD, she married Harold M. Hodgkins, her beloved husband of 71 years.
While living in East Brunswick, Barbara attended St. George’s Episcopal Church in Helmetta, NJ. She was actively involved in the church’s charities, sang in the choir, and taught Sunday school. She was a set designer and actor in the East Brunswick Community Players’ award-winning performing arts theater. She also enjoyed campaigning for political candidates before moving to Hendersonville, NC.
Barbara loved the natural surroundings of North Carolina, especially the Blue Ridge Mountains, where she and her husband Harold would often take long drives to view. She was active in her church, St. John in the Wilderness, Flat Rock, NC, where she served in the Stephen Ministry providing one to one care to those experiencing a difficult time in life.
Barbara, a talented artist, continued to sketch, and paint both oil and watercolors throughout her life. She enjoyed sharing her craft with others, and welcomed any opportunity to teach others art.
Barbara E. Hodgkins, was predeceased by her husband Harold M. Hodgkins; survived by her children Laura H. Zullo and her husband Richard C. Zullo of Belle Mead, NJ; Leslie L. Lombardo and her husband Dr. Michael P. Lombardo of Grand Haven, MI; and Lisa M. Hale of Rohrersville, MD; her seven grandchildren; Matthew, Richard, Kaitlyn, Elizabeth, Madeline, Geoffrey, Meredith, and Stephanie, and seven great grandchildren; Sutton, Colton, Hayes, Claire, Felix, Genevieve and Bronwen.
A service will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 524 Washington Avenue, Grand Haven, MI at 11:30 A.M. on July 21, 2022. Internment will take place at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington County, VA. Donations in memory of Barbara may be made to: St. John’s Episcopal Church, 524 Washington Avenue, Grand Haven, MI 49417 www.sjegh.com; or St. John in the Wilderness Episcopal Church, 1895 Greenville Highway, Flat Rock, NC 28731 www.stjohnflatrock.org. Flowers may be sent directly to St. John’s Episcopal Church, 524 Washington Avenue, Grand Haven, MI 49417. Arrangements entrusted to The VanZantwick Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 620 Washington Avenue, Grand Haven, MI, 49417. Share memories with the family and sign the online guestbook at www.sytsemafh.com
What’s your fondest memory of Barbara?
What’s a lesson you learned from Barbara?
Share a story where Barbara's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Barbara you’ll never forget.
How did Barbara make you smile?
