ALLISON HODGES

1943 - 2006

Allison Hodges, beloved wife of Paul Hodges of Lethbridge, passed away peacefully with her family around her at the St. Michael’s Health Centre on Sunday, August 13, 2006 at the age of 62 years.
 Besides her loving husband Paul, Allison is survived by her son Jason (Lori) Hodges of Lethbridge and their children Devon, Miranda and Chelsey, her son Kevin (Rhonda) Hodges of North Battleford, Saskatchewan and their children Megan, Zachary and Aaron and by her son Chris (Milissa) Hodges of Brooks and their children Austin, Colton, Jasper and Zander; her brothers William (Margaret) Matthews of Dundas, Ontario, Pete (Carol) Matthews of Dawson Creek, British Columbia and Robert (Gail) Matthews of Edmonton; her sisters Anne Wallace of Hamilton, Ontario and Jackie (Jack) Setter of Pikes’ Bay, Ontario; and sister-in-law of Dorothy Matthews of Hamilton, Ontario as well as by numerous nieces and nephews throughout Canada.
She was predeceased by her parents Albert and Kathleen Matthews, her brother Dave Matthews, sister Eileen Chudy, brother in law John Wallace and by her grandson Paul McKale Hodges.
Allison Hodges was born in Hamilton, Ontario on September 20, 1943. As a young child she was very much the adventurer. Uncle Pete shared with me that Mom was found on the roof of her house at the age of three. And that when, one day as a young girl, she had gone missing for three hours, the neighbour found her hanging by an ankle from a tree. This appears to answer many questions about her grandkids. I have come to believe that mischief is genetic, and was inherited in two of her boys. Of course Jason and Chris, but not me and 100% of her 10 grandkids.
Allison grew up in Hamilton with her family. But true to her spirit of adventure she moved out West eventually meeting a handsome and hard working man, Paul Hodges. They married on June 26, 1971 and lived in Calgary until 1974 when they moved their young family to Taber. They lived with her brother Peter and Carol Matthews for two years before moving into a brand new house. There they raised three sons:  Jason, Kevin, and Christopher.
Life was a flurry of activity right from the start. Mom and Dad opened Cal Rock Ceramics in the basement of their new home; with time and diligence the business grew to the point where she could open up a store down town. Dad did the pouring and firing, often late into the night, while Mom taught evening classes there for many years. It soon became the cool thing to do ceramics with Allison. Christmas was an especially busy time around the shop. Who doesn’t remember those ceramic Christmas trees? I am sure a small forest of those went out that shop door. Cal Rock Ceramics was a gathering place for many ladies in the evening to do ceramics, visit, have coffee and chat all about family life and all the goings-on of the day. Mom was a gifted painter and the ladies would all ask mom to paint the eyes on all their smileys. We boys would often shiver at the spooky effect of all these finished smiley dolls lined up with that same grin but blank eyes waiting for moms’ steady and skilled hand! Allison flourished and flowered at this time in her life.
Many friends came through our home and lives. There were countless bbqs and get-togethers with Dads co-workers and friends from around the neighbourhood. People liked mom. Whether we knew it or not, Mom and Dad were cool!    
Mom’s faith was evident throughout her life. Early on in her disease she used recorded hymns to manage the pain as she lied in bed. The pressure in her head would get so bad she thought she would die. She listened to these songs, and some sermons on tape, right up to the end. Scriptures were sacred to her. She always held God’s word high in her heart; it was a source of wisdom, direction, and comfort. Mom’s life was full of adventure and creativity. Ceramics, poetry, painting, wood ornaments, Halloween costumes, and baking.
She was a great wife to Dad. Fond memories of our young family are many, and our lives were full of adventures because of Mom. Mom was active, healthy, and a source of never-ending creativity and inspiration. She was a poet and an artist in her own right. We are confident that many of mom’s ceramics still have a place in the hearts and homes of many. Allison was a good mother to us boys. When we were younger there were always cookies in the freezer. She put them there knowing they were harder to eat and we wouldn’t be able to eat too many at one time. How many times did we hear her exclaim, “You kids are eating me out of house and home!”  I remember arts and crafts. You guys remember gluing macaroni to every jar and glass that didn’t have a set purpose. Mom drove us to the swimming pool on hot summer days and we had many a summer adventure at Taber Provincial Park. Our lives were full because Mom loved us.  When we said that we were bored she often knew of a patch of weeds in the neighbourhood that needed urgent attention. When we were older she though it was important that we be involved with Air Cadets, again with the hope of keeping us boys from trouble and maybe we might learn some discipline. Our lives are richer and fuller because of her attention.
Mom’s life was also marked by disease, Multiple Sclerosis. MS steadily redefined Mom’s world, it can only be described as hell on earth. The disease took mom in and out of hospital and two nursing homes, innumerable doctor’s appointments, hundreds, maybe thousands of different treatment plans, and an infinite number of drugs. I know she would have been placed in a home much sooner had it not been for her mother, Kathleen Matthews, who came and lived with Mom and Dad for a number of years. As well, Dad often had to leave work to help Mom through her M.S. attacks. It was tough for her to lose so much of her freedom and independence, but she did so with courage and a deep faith that even though she was suffering greatly, God had not forgotten her. Mom had excellent doctors. Both Dr. C.M. Stewart and, later on his son, Dr. David Stewart were equally a great blessing and comfort in the course of her progression with M.S. These men are both a credit to their professions and the human race.
The last part of Allison’s life was lived within the small community of St. Michael’s. There was no part of the nursing home that was left untouched by her humour, creativity and spirituality. As her pain progressed, it became clear that she had good days and bad, but very little kept her from being a help to those around her.
A highlight in Allison’s life was the ten grandkids who loved her as much as she loved them. She loved their visits, and, true to her nature, she gave treats, dollars, and stuffed animals to them. They adored her. She’d often ask “Where’s my hug?” It hurts to know she won’t be there to advise, and correct, and do all the things grandmothers do. Grandmothers are important you know. God gives us one mother, and she is important in the life of a child yes, but equally important is the role of a grandmother must be if God’s design has provided for and intended us to have two. So you see these little ones here today share in as great of a loss as the rest of us.
Dad spent so much time there that we’d be wrong not to recognize that here and now. Thank you Dad for who you are and the indomitable dedication and love you showed for Mom. We know she would have suffered so much more without your unwavering, undying, love and commitment to her. If love is measured by actions no one loved a woman more than my Dad did of his wife, Allison.
We believe we would be remiss if we didn’t take this opportunity to recognize the staff (family) that cared for, loved, and helped mom manage her illness. The staff at St. Michael’s are the closest thing to angels we have seen. Many of you became family to mom as close as sisters, right Gail? Many tirelessly gave of themselves to see mom was comfortable and in as little pain as possible. For that our hearts are forever grateful. You are angels. And we love you for being more than professional. You were human. Thanks so much. There are many other stories, and adventures in Allison’s life that can and should inspire us as we spend the day remembering and celebrating, mourning, grieving and crying. The truth is Allison was real, and she would have wanted you to express whatever we remembered, whatever we felt. Let’s be real, let’s laugh, and cry. Mourn and giggle. She has gone on the greatest and grandest journey of our lives.
Mom, I love you. The deepest and greatest parts of my personality I owe to you. The spirit of gratitude, my talents and abilities all find their beginnings in you. You were good to all us kids, grandkids, and to Dad. Thanks Mom. See you soon.
The Funeral Service will be held at the Taber Church of Christ, 5350 - 50 Street, Taber on Friday, August 18, 2006 at 2:00 P.M. with Wes Midgett officiating. Interment to follow at the Taber Memorial Garden.
 If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Allison’s name may be made directly to Multiple Sclerosis Society, 234C - 12B Street North, Lethbridge, Alberta  T1H 2K8 or to the Canadian Diabetes Association, 210D - 12A Street North, Lethbridge, Alberta  T1H 2J1.