Georgia Ellen Hodgkin

May 9, 2023

Georgia Willey Hodgkin was born in North Dakota in 1939 to George and Thora Willey. Her father was a farmer, and her mother was a school teacher. Georgia had one younger brother, Warren Willey, who worked as a pharmacist.

Georgia’s paternal grandmother was a Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) of Norwegian descent, and she took Georgia to Sabbath School and church on Sabbath. Georgia's mother Thora was a Lutheran of Norwegian descent, and she brought Georgia to church on Sunday. One day, Thora decided to walk out into the wheat field where George was on the tractor and said, “George, are we going to church on Saturday or Sunday, decide!” Shortly after, they were all baptized into the Seventh-Day Adventist Church.

While growing up in North Dakota, Georgia excelled in academics and playing the clarinet. As seniors in high school, both Georgia and Warren graduated Valedictorian. Georgia would jokingly say the only class she did not excel in was physical education.

Georgia left the farm in North Dakota to go to Walla Walla College in College Place, WA, where she attended for four years graduating with a Bachelor of Science Cum Laude in Foods and Nutrition.

After graduating, Georgia married John Hodgkin, and they had three children: Steven, Kathy, and Carolyn. Georgia was a very involved and loving mother, and over the years she spent a lot of time raising and guiding her children and helping in their Sabbath Schools and school activities.

Georgia completed a Dietetic Internship at Loma Linda University and earned a Certificate in 1963 and M.S. in Nutrition in 1966. Ultimately in 1991, she earned her EdD at Loma Linda University, Riverside, through the School of Education, earning the Dean’s Award with emphasis in Administration and Leadership.

In 1963, Georgia began her employment as a Clinical Dietitian at Glendale Adventist Medical Center. She moved on to Loma Linda University as a research assistant in 1964 to 1966. In 1978, she began her career with the School of Allied Health Professions (SAHP) Department of Nutrition and Dietetics as an Assistant Professor. She became an Associate Professor in 1992 and then a Professor in 2004 until present. She was honored to be named Distinguished Professor Emerita, Nutrition and Dietetics, in October of 2020.

Amongst Georgia’s plethora of consultancies, publications, funded-research activities, presentations, poster sessions, guidance committees, professional society memberships and offices, committees, courses taught, awards and honors, and community service activities, she highlighted a few of her accomplishments. Her personal notable achievements were she chaired: the University General Ed Committee for 10 years, the SAHP Rank and Promotion Committee for 20 years, and the SAHP Faculty Council. She helped write the bylaws for the University Faculty Council. While on the SAHP committees, she helped develop policy for research papers, grievances, and salaries. On the General Conference Nutrition Council, she developed a vegetarian pyramid, sold multiple times in 70-80K copies, and developed vegetarian plates when USDA changed the food guide. Georgia was President of: SDA Dietetic Association, LLU SM Medical Auxiliary for two terms (20 years apart!), and Association of Adventist Women. She was Head Elder for two terms at LLU Church. One year she sat on 64 committees! Georgia enjoyed her students and colleagues tremendously during her 42 years of being in Nichol Hall. She found it very fulfilling to mentor and encourage people to achieve their dreams and potential.

Georgia’s greatest joys included her three children, 10 grandchildren, and three great grandchildren. Her eldest child Steven married Sheila, and their children are: Savannah, Sophia, Alex, and Summer. Her second child Kathy married Barry Glendrange, and their children are: Kaia and Kaelyn. Her last child Carolyn married Jan Bakland, and their children are: Lynae, Hollyn, Joel, and Annalyn. Georgia has three great grandchildren: Elsa, Jeriah, and Anders. Her fondest memories were spending Sabbath dinner with family around her dining room table full of laughter and love.

A Celebration of Life will be held for Georgia on Sabbath, June 10 at 4:00 PM in the Loma Linda University Church, with a reception following at Wong Kerlee International Conference Center. In lieu of flowers, donations could be made to the Georgia W. Hodgkin Scholarship Endowment at the LLU SAHP; Steven E. Hodgkin LLU Medical Auxiliary Scholarship Fund; and The John and Inez Willey Family Scholarship at Walla Walla University.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.montecitomemorialparkandmortuary.com for the Hodgkin family.