Born in Glen Ridge, NJ, to her beloved late parents, William and Virginia Caldwell, Lauren spent most of her life in Newton, NJ. She graduated from Mountain Lakes High School in Mountain Lakes, NJ, and with a gift for empathy and connection, Lauren went on to work as a new patient coordinator for Hematology and Oncology Associates at Morristown Medical Center. There, she became a reassuring presence to many with a warm smile and a steady hand guiding people through new beginnings.
Lauren raised her children in a house filled with tenderness, laughter, and the comforting smells of home-cooked meals. Her Chicken Divan was legendary; her chocolate chip cookies were irresistible. They were baked not just with skill, but with heart. Lauren nurtured everything she touched, from her children to her gardens, where every bloom stood as a quiet testament to her care. Her hands, so often in the soil or stirring a pot, held the magic of someone who knew how to make things grow.
Lauren’s faith was a steady foundation throughout her life. She spent many Sundays attending Christ Church in Newton with her son, finding connection within its community.
Lauren loved the sea. Whether walking the shores of Seaside or Cape May, the ocean was her sanctuary. She never went without a book in hand. Lauren was an avid reader with a deep love for stories, especially romance novels.
She lived with quiet strength, thoughtful insight, and a warmth that made people feel at home. Her memory will live on in the sound of the ocean, the comfort of a good book, and the delicious smells of the kitchen.
Lauren is survived by her sons, Brad Hodgins, and Glenn Hodgins (Lisa); her daughter-in-law, Tricia Sampson; her brother, Jeffrey Caldwell; her sister, Diane Caldwell West; and her grandchildren, Madeline Hodgins, Ryan Hodgins, and Julia Hodgins. She was predeceased by her parents, as well as her daughter, Melissa Hodgins , Lauren,s former husband D. Ross Hodgins and her brother Bill Caldwell.
Memorial visitation will be held be August 1st 2025 from 2-4 & 7-9 from the Smith-McCracken Funeral Home 64 High St Newton, NJ 07860 Memorial services will be held Saturday August 2nd at Christ Episcopal Church 62 Main St Newton, NJ 07860.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Lauren's memory may be made to: Cure Alzheimer's Fund, 34 Washington St., Suite 230, Wellesley Hills, MA 02481.
Online condolences by be offered below.
