Maria "YaYa" Hodge

Maria was 1 of 10 (13) children born on the island of Rhodes, Greece to the Greek Orthodox Priest Μιχαήλ (Michail) and Presbytera Παρασκευή (Paraskevi) in 1935.

She attended seamstress school on the island, which taught her the art of making clothes and dresses for her family during the hard times after World War II and after her father passed away in 1951. Along with helping her mother take care of the family.

She was also a cub / wolf (lykopolia) scout leader 1956-1960, marching in the Greek Independence Day (March 25th) and όχι Day Parades (October 28th) with her troops in μανδράκι (Mandráki).

This Greek Mermaid, met, fell in love and married her American Sailor, Al Hodge Jr (USCG) in October of 1961 in Greece and the adventures around the world would begin.

She became a loving mother of 3 children in the 1960’s and started working as a seamstress at the Royal Orleans in New Orleans during the 1970’s. During the 1980’s she worked at Robert Hall and Barkers in Chalmette. During the 1990’s she did seamstress work at home for several local boutiques and her regular customers.

She was skilled in the kitchen at the art of baking, Galaktoboureko, Baklava and her specialty, the Koulourakia that were enjoyed by all and became affectionately known as “YaYa’s Cookies”.

During the 1990’s and up to Hurricane Katrina she also supplied handmade Greek spanakopita and Tiropita Rolls for local reception halls in New Orleans and Chalmette.

She was the quintessential ball park “YaYa” enjoying and cheering for her grandchildren on the sidelines during Baseball and Soccer matches 1990s-2000’s. She loved rooting for The New Orleans Saints, watching Greek Soccer matches, Sanford And Son and Family Feud with Steve Harvey.

Both Maria and Big Al, were members of St. Bernard Classic Car Club, cruising the coast in Mississippi and the lakefront in New Orleans with the top down enjoying their retirement.

Maria was devoted member of The Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in New Orleans and enjoyed working the Greek Festivals every year along with her family.

Maria also loved cruising the beach headed to the coast in Mississippi and playing the slots at her two favorite places, the IP and the Slipper with her family. Sitting at the kitchen table with her son in law Randy and the family playing cards or having some Box wine Ripple while doing her Scratch offs.

She also enjoyed many trips back to the beautiful island of Rhodes to visit her family over the years.

She was a very devoted, strong, resilient, loving, giving wife, Mother, YaYa, and great YaYa, to her husband, her children, grandchildren and great granddaughter and Nona to her Godchildren. She was an incredible woman with a great sense of humor, an infectious laugh and amazing stories that were told about her adventurous life while having a cup of coffee together. Those times will be cherished forever. She will be loved and missed by all of us, everyday! Σε αγαπώ!

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 40 years, Al Hodge Jr.; her daughter, Paraskevi Hodge; her grandson, Randy Dupriest Jr.; her siblings, Kosta, Vasili, Kiki and Elias,

She is survived and fondly remembered by her children, Ellen Hodge Dupriest (Randy) and Al Hodge III; her siblings, Nickos, Lefteria, Katina, Christina and Georgia; her grandson, Ross Dupriest; great granddaughter, Madison Dupriest; along with many nieces and nephews in Greece, The Greater New Orleans Area and in Texas.

Special thanks to the Krewe of St. Tammany Hospice for helping us help Momma transcend to the next astral plane of her journey.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation to be held at ST. BERNARD MEMORIAL FUNERAL HOME, 701 W. Virtue St., Chalmette, LA on Sunday, August 28th from 12:00PM – 2:00PM, followed by a funeral service in Maria’s memory beginning at 2:00PM. She will be laid to eternal rest in a private ceremony in Biloxi National Cemetery. To view and sign the Family Guestbook, please visit www.stbernardmemorial.com