Sally Jeanette Hodges

Sally was born in Wellington, New Zealand, daughter of Jean Margaret and John Barrington, 4th generation Kiwis.

Sally is survived by her husband Robert; children James (Suwannee), Katherine (Ryan), and Margaret; and her grandchildren Flint, Lukas, Stella, Abby, Jaida, and Darwin. She is also survived by her older sister Margaret Robertson; brother-in-law Morris Robertson; niece Rachel Langford; and nephew Timothy Robertson.

Sally was an intelligent, sweet, generous, selfless, caring wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, friend, neighbour and colleague. She had a great sense of humour, an infectious smile and a giving heart - sponsoring refugees, and supporting the less fortunate. Many have expressed how they considered Sally to be like an aunt, mother or grandmother to them.

Sally and Bob lived their values as reflected in their philanthropy, having set up the Hodges Charitable Fund, through which they have quietly made significant charitable donations for over the last 20 years to charities close to their hearts, such as humanitarian organizations, the environment, and Saint David’s United Church. The legacy fund was set up to endure in perpetuity and will be continued by Sally & Bob’s children.

She believed strongly in the transformative power of education. Following the passing of her parents, she donated her inheritance to the University of Calgary’s Social Work Faculty, creating an endowment to support students. She felt that having it given to “people who wanted the world to be a better place and were intelligent was the best way of using the money.” She also helped make it possible for a newcomer to Canada to pursue and complete post-secondary studies, including both undergraduate and graduate degrees. As she once wrote, she hoped to be remembered for her unwavering belief that one individual can make a difference.

Sally was adventurous, marrying Bob- a rugged American outdoorsman - and moving from New Zealand across the world to New York City at the young age of 22. They started their family there.

Sally had an impressive educational background. She received the prestigious award as Dux- the first-in-class top academic scholar- during both her Junior High and Senior High school years at Queen Margaret College private girls school. Sally completed a Bachelor of Arts in Latin and French at Victoria University Wellington in New Zealand. She completed a Masters of Arts Degree in Education and French at New York University. Her writing and grammar skills came in handy; editing published novels, and assisting her children with their spoken and written assignments in grade school and during University.

Sally often wrote whimsical poems for her children’s birthdays, and fond memories remain of the birthday games and parties she organized - a tradition she continued for her grandchildren. During the annual Easter egg scavenger hunts, she created funny rhyming clues for her grandkids to find the treasure. She loved Christmas, always preparing an incredible feast and beautifully decorating the house. Family gatherings brought her great joy. She would also organize and host events at their home on other special occasions where friends would gather around the grand piano to play instruments, sing and be merry.

She was an accomplished pianist, holding the LTCL (Licentiate of Trinity College London) Master Performance Pianist qualification, recognized as one of the highest professional piano credentials comparable to a university master’s degree. She was also recognized with the ATCL (Associate of Trinity College London) Diploma in Teaching.

She received her teaching certificates in New Zealand, New York, and Alberta, and shared her passion and gift of music as a private piano teacher for 14 years, including teaching her grandchildren to play. Her 15-year career in education included teaching Latin and French to high school students in New York, teaching music in French in an old-fashioned classroom at Heritage Park in Calgary, and instructing all subjects in French and English in elementary and junior high schools. In her own words: “I believe that students learn best when the teacher provides a learning environment where enthusiasm, wisdom, and caring are modelled and actively fostered. This requires addressing the needs of the community as they arise and holding up the responsibility of each of us, to others and to ourselves.”

She enjoyed gardening and had a calendar that charted when various flowers in her garden bloomed, her favorite being sweet peas with their sweet scent on her front porch in Varsity, at the home she lived in for 44 years. She was an avid tennis player since childhood and could beat all of us at table tennis.

Sally was a prolific artist and very humble about her talent. Her art was inspired by New Zealand landscapes of the Kapiti coast where she spent time at her parents beach house, and the view across the harbour to the South Island. She was also inspired by the Rocky Mountains, and the serene and colourful lakes. Her dedication and creativity in music and art were both her gift and her outlet. As a third generation artist, she has also left behind a legacy of her extensive collection of artwork in pottery, and acrylic and watercolour paintings.

Sally enjoyed many hikes and cross-country ski trips with family and friends. They made use of the prairies as well, where they kept bees and ran a honey business together- selling honey from their home and at farmers markets with the help of their children. She always found ways to stay active, including doing yoga regularly with a friend group of ladies. Sally and Bob loved the many pets they had over the years, and went for many walks every day with their dog behind their home in the big park, always stopping to chat with neighbours.

Sally’s lifelong commitment to peace was reflected in the many organizations she founded, chaired, and supported which promoted things such as peace education, social justice, the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, and non-violent conflict resolution. These organizations include; Project Ploughshares, Calgary Floating Lanterns For Peace, Puppets for Peace, The Calgary Peace Run, The Calgary Peace Pole, and others. Her dedication was recognized with the 1999 YMCA Canada Peace Medal; the 2005 YMCA Canada Peace Medal for Puppets for Peace for educating 45,000 schoolchildren about anti-bullying; and a Letter for Recognition for 40 Years of Service from the Mayor of Calgary.

Sally lived in a way that embraced her community as if it were her own family. When she immigrated to Canada with Bob and three kids in 1981, she knew no one in Calgary. Faith was an important thread woven through all aspects of her life.

A quote Sally kept at her desk and lived by:

“Life is not about being rich, being popular, being highly educated, or being perfect. It’s about being real, humble, and kind.”

Her gentleness and kindness were her superpower and the foundation of her character. Her intelligence and knowledge helped her to accomplish her many achievements. Her beauty, her disarming smile and her sweet nature was part of the essence of who she was. May Sally’s spirit of love, compassion and giving live on through each one of us.

A Celebration of Life is planned at Summit View United Church (formerly Saint David’s United Church) at 3303 Capitol Hill Crescent NW, Calgary, on Saturday, January 24, 2026 at 1:00 pm. Donations can be made to Sally’s organization Ploughshares Calgary Society via email to: [email protected] or at https://ploughsharescalgary.ca/donate/

Words from friends and family about Sally:

“You are a great example and inspiration in the way you care for people and show compassion so naturally-it is just part of you.” - Heather

“For all you do for other people. For Project Ploughshares. For the refugees. For your church. For your family and friends. You are such a good example for us all.” - Maureen

“Thank you Sally. In so many ways you are truly an angel and a blessing to the world.” - Faith

“You are an inspiration to all who know you.” - Helen

“With love and admiration for your generous nature, and all that you do for so many! I so admire you for all the charitable things you do and the kindness you consistently show for others less fortunate than you.” - Billie Lyon

“You are one of the kindest and most gracious people I’ve ever had the pleasure to know. You truly are full of magic!” - Karen