Marie-Gay Lodge

Shortly after celebrating her 102nd birthday with her family, Marie-Gay Lodge passed away on Tuesday, July 11, 2023 in Clearwater, Florida. Born on July 4th, 1921, to Emma Marie Schafer and Claude W. Owen of Washington, D.C., Marie-Gay attended Marjorie Webster Junior College and later received a scholarship to the Parsons School of Design in New York City. In 1944, she married her high school sweetheart, the late Richard (Dick) S. Lodge, after he graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. She and Dick were invited to and attended the Inaugural Ball of President Dwight D. Eisenhower in both 1952 and 1956. The couple moved from Silver Spring, Maryland to Clearwater in 1959, where Dick was Director of Marketing for Honeywell Aerospace, and also Mayor of Belleair from 1977 to 1979. A devoted wife and mother, Marie-Gay was a talented artist, and an adept seamstress. She was also very active in her local community. She was a charter member of the Fine Arts Society, a life member of the YWCA, a volunteer at Heritage Village, and a member of the First United Methodist Church for more than 60 years. Marie-Gay had a passion for the family’s historic doll house, built by her grandfather in 1891. The 3-story, 10-room “mansion,” passed down through generations, included minute handmade furnishings, and was often put on display for the public. She also enjoyed summers in the family home in the Endless Mountains of Pennsylvania. Marie-Gay is survived by her son, Richard W. Lodge (Martha) of Cincinnati, OH; son, John S. Lodge (Jeanne) of Gainesville; daughter, Marie-Louise Lodge (Maurizio) of Florence, Italy; dear family friend William “Sandy” Madley, four grandchildren (Aimee, Richard, Sergio, and Jacopo); and four great-grandchildren (Owen, Cooper, Kaylie, and Gabriel).

A Memorial Service will be held for Marie-Gay Lodge at 11 am on Saturday, August 19, 2023, at the First United Methodist Church, 411 Turner St., Clearwater, Forida. A reception at the church’s Fellowship Hall will follow the service. There will be a brief placement of ashes graveside at Sylvan Abbey Memorial Park at 2 pm.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 411 Turner St. Clearwater, Florida, 33756.

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