Mildred Millie I. Hobbs Hodges

Millie was born on December 13, 1924 in Owego, NY, a daughter of the late Leon and Hazel (Snyder) Hobbs. On May 28, 1946, Millie married the love of her life, Norbert J. Hodges, at the Lutheran Church of Atonement in Oneonta. Millie and Norbie celebrated 35 years of marriage together until his passing in December of 1981.

Shortly after her birth, Millie’s family came to Oneonta where she grew up and attended Oneonta schools. She was an Oneonta High School graduate, Class of 1943. Following high school Millie worked at Bresee’s Department Store where she was made the manager of the store’s record dept., choosing which records the store would keep in stock and scouring for the latest hits.

A little later in life, she began working at Grover’s Trailer Sales in Sidney, and it was while working there that she first developed her love of camping. When Grover’s opened their Hobby Store, she took on responsibilities there as well. Her working career would take one more turn however, as she realized she had a real desire to teach. She began her teaching career at the River Street Elementary School in Oneonta, and when the school moved and changed its name to Riverside Elementary, she moved along with it. It was a running joke between Millie and her co-workers that when the school moved, only Millie and the old school’s bell came with it.

Although she was a very hard worker, Millie enjoyed her free time as much as she could. She loved to travel and took little vacations whenever time allowed. Some time after her and Norbie started their family, they would pack up their camping supplies and head out into the great outdoors for fun filled weekends of playing cards, relaxing in nature, and visiting with family. Her favorite place to visit was Cape Hatteras in North Carolina. After Norbert passed away, she maintained her love of traveling by frequently taking bus trips and tours all over the northeast; she especially loved bus trips to Boston. She also traveled for almost two decades with her son Bruce all across the U.S. to railroad conventions as a local officer in the National Railway Historical Society

After her retirement, Millie became involved in several organizations involving the area’s railways. She became the corporate secretary and Board Member of the Leatherstocking Railway Historical Society, a position she held for 34 years and served right up until her passing. She was also an active volunteer on the Cooperstown and Charlotte Valley Railroad since 1999.

Millie will be remembered most for her strong devotion and love of her family. She was a dedicated wife and mother. Millie will also be remembered fondly by her family for her intense love of shopping, and her keen sense of always being able to find a sale.

She is survived by her sons, David Hodges, and his wife Shirley, of Mountain Top, PA, and Bruce Hodges of Oneonta; her five grandchildren, Christopher Hodges, Stephanie Uthoff, Tammy Carvin, Katrina Kern, and Tonya Adamczyk; 12 great grandchildren, and 7 great-great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters, Christine Malloy, Sylvia Secord and Audrey Smith, all of Oneonta, and by her brother, Leon Hobbs, Jr. of Fairport, NY.

Millie was predeceased by her husband, Norbert; her daughter, Rhonda Hodges; a sister, Patricia Ploutz, and a brother, Kenneth Hobbs.

A Celebration of Millie’s Life will be held at 1pm on Saturday, May 7, 2016 at the Bookhout Funeral Home, 357 Main Street, Oneonta, with the Rev. Judith Thistle officiating. Friends and family are invited to visit from 11am to 1pm during the hours prior to the service at which time her family will receive guests. Following the service, Millie will be laid to rest in the Oneonta Plains Cemetery in Oneonta.

In lieu of flowers, Millie’s family requests that you kindly consider making a charitable donation in her memory to an organization that was very dear to her. Donations may be sent to the Leatherstocking Railway Historical Society, P.O. Box 681, Oneonta, NY 13820.