Mary Ailleen Hodges

Mary Petty Hodges peacefully passed into the arms of Jesus on October 11th, 2021 at Silverado Barton Springs in Austin, Texas at the age of 96. Mary was dearly loved by her family and friends. She is preceded in death by her husband Lawrence ‘Hodge’ Hodges, her doting parents Tommie and Jeffe Petty, brother Chalky and grandson Keith Cruzan. There is no doubt that she rejoiced upon entering Heaven’s gate and was met by those named and a host of cousins most often referred to as “The Lambeth boys”. She leaves behind her daughter and son-in-law Gwendolyn and Phil Cruzan, granddaughter and grandson-in-law Misty and Eric Carreiro, great-grandson Ian Carreiro and many cherished friends both near and far.

Mary proudly grew up and attended school in Okemah, Oklahoma. She later worked for Douglas Aircraft building planes in the war effort as an original Rosie the Riveter, then for Southwestern Bell and still later as a luxury property manager as well as in Real Estate for Post Oak Realtors in Houston, Texas.

Mary was a member of the Galveston Country Club and owned a beach house on Pirates Beach for a number of years. She called Galveston home for 25 years in all and lived on the Strand across from the Tremont House, where she frequently “held court” listening to friends play and sing at the piano. She was a world traveler having seen nearly every continent, but favored above all China. She loved to cruise and had, at last count, 75 sailings. She was a lover of life! She loved a good party, enjoyed dancing and singing and had an infectious spirit. She would be the first to tell you that she never had a drink but subsisted on black tea, tamales and Coke. Mary was a true fashion maverick, and could often be seen wearing red leather pants and a leopard vest along with her gold fingernail inlaid with her favorite gem, an emerald. Most of all, she loved her family and friends and was loved greatly in return.

Her last place of residency was at Silverado Barton Springs Memory care in Austin, Texas. We wish to say a special thank you to the nurses, caregivers, chef, activity directors, janitorial staff, Hospice Care team, Chaplain and management team for being members of our extended family over the last 8 years as Mary journeyed through all of the stages of Alzheimer’s Dementia. She loved you all very much.

A funeral Mass and celebration of life for Mary will be held at Saint Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in Austin, Texas on November 5th, 2021 at 10 AM. In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Galveston Island Humane Society or Alzheimer’s Texas.