Mona Ruth (Kelley) Hodgson

Mona Ruth (Kelley) Hodgson, age 91, passed away peacefully on December 19, 2023 at her home in Cypress, TX. She was born August 18, 1932 in Pittsburgh, PA to Richard William and Ruth Elizabeth (Wetzel) Kelley, both deceased.

She is survived by her loving children: her daughter Karen and husband Leonard Loyd, her son Robert Hodgson and wife Murielle, and her daughter Terry Hodgson. Mona was also a cherished grandmother to her grandson Ryan Loyd and wife Jackie, her grandson Kenn Purcell, as well as her great-grandson, Egan Loyd. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 66 years, Robert Newton (Bob) Hodgson, and her dear brother, Richard William Kelley, Jr.

Mona was in hospice care since September and it is a blessing that she is no longer suffering. The family offers heartfelt thanks to Altus Hospice for keeping her comfortable and free of distress during this time. The family also wishes to express their sincere gratitude to Bristol Park at Cypress for taking such good care of Mona for the past 4 years, but are especially thankful for their loving care during the last few months. Her family could not have rested without all the help provided by her caregivers.

Mona grew up in Pittsburgh, where she attended Mt Lebanon High School and went on to Bethany College, in West Virginia. After marrying, Mona and Bob moved to Montana to begin their life together. Following another move to Wyoming they ultimately landed in Kansas, where they had their first child, Karen. Bob entered the Army and they went back to Pittsburgh until Bob’s enlistment was up. With another move to Oklahoma, they had two more children, Robert and Terry. A bit more moving around then they finally settled in Houston.

Mona was an accomplished artist and tennis player. Even though she eventually gave up tennis she continued to paint into her 80s. She created many paintings for family members, simply upon their request. She loved to read and she shared many books with Bob. She was a wonderful cook. Some of her specialties include treasured Christmas cookies, cheesecake, candied sweet potatoes, and legendary guacamole dip. She and Bob both enjoyed entertaining friends and family. Family dinners and holidays were truly joyful and memorable. They loved entertaining at their home in Katy, where they lived for 40 years.

As a breast cancer survivor of over 40 years, Mona was very encouraging to others with the same disease. The final few years she was in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, but she was blessed to hold on to her lifetime of memories.

Mona's life will be celebrated at a memorial service on January 19, 2024 at 1 p.m. at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home, 13001 Katy Freeway, Houston, TX.

In honor of Mona's memory, donations can be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America or to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

May her soul find eternal peace, and may her cherished memories bring comfort to those who loved her.