Penny Ann (Nichols) Bodkin

Penny Ann (Nichols) Bodkin of Newburgh, Indiana passed away on July 18, 2026 in her home surrounded by her family and favorite view of the Ohio River. Penny was born on January 23, 1945 in Beech Grove, Indiana and grew up in Indianapolis. She was 81.

She graduated from Southport High School and Indiana University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She married Robert “Tom” Bodkin on June 17, 1967. Penny and Tom have spent their 59 married years dedicated to their professions, raising and enjoying their family, volunteering, traveling, gardening, and spending time with one another.

Penny worked as a Registered Nurse and taught at IU School of Nursing prior to moving to Newburgh in 1975. She worked as the Head Nurse in the first dialysis unit in Evansville and retired from St. Mary’s Medical Center as the Director of Same Day Surgery.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Rosemary Elizabeth Gue, Otis M. Gue, Robert Eugene Nichols Sr., Janet D. Nichols and step granddaughter, Becca Rockey.

She is survived by her husband, Robert Thomas “Tom” Bodkin; children, Beth Ann (Conrad) Rockey, Bryan Thomas Bodkin; grandchildren, Alex Dafforn, Dante Bodkin, Dominic Bodkin, and step granddaughter, Rachel (Jake) Berry; step great granddaughters, Becca Berry, Riley Berry, Jacklyn Berry; siblings, Kath Davis, Margaret Dobbs, Bob (Melody) Nichols, and a niece and several nephews.

Penny’s family is grateful for the exceptional care and compassion of Heart to Heart Hospice.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life at Alexander Funeral Home-Newburgh Chapel on August 1, 2026 at 12:00 PM. Visitation with the family will begin at 10:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Penny and Tom Nursing Scholarship at Indiana University School of Nursing, In Honor of Penny Bodkin, IU Foundation, PO Box 6460, Indianapolis, IN 46206 (by phone 812-855-8311) or The Heart to Heart Hospice Foundation in Honor of Penny Bodkin.

Condolences may be made online at www.AlexanderNewburghChapel.com