Helen L. Hodge

Helen Louise Hodge passed away at St Lukes, Boise, on January 23, 2024, six months shy of her 100th birthday.

Helen was born at the old St Alphonsus Hospital when it was located in downtown Boise. She was the second daughter of George and Winnifred Westfall, born three years after her sister Harriet. Harriet and Helen would remain close their entire lives; they would spend hours on the phone talking almost on a daily basis.

Helen grew up in Boise and graduated from Boise High School in 1942. She then graduated from Boise Junior College in 1944 with an Associate of Arts degree.

Helen’s lifetime of volunteer service began at BJC during the war years when she joined the Minute Maids, an organization that supported the war effort by selling bonds and attending dances at the Mountain Home Air Force base.

Later in life her volunteer service included working with special needs children at Lincoln School, joining PEO Chapter A in 1961 (she remained a member until her death), Women’s Civic Club, and helping refugees learn English through the Boise Refugee Center and BSU. For the latter service, she received the Governor’s Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service in 1983.

Helen married Robert (Bob) Hodge in 1946. They remained married until Bob’s death in 2015, a period of almost 69 years. Together, they enjoyed skiing, playing golf and traveling. They especially enjoyed their condo in McCall and spending time with their special circle of friends on the ski hill and apres ski. Both Bob and Helen skied well into their seventies.

Helen was also an enthusiastic bridge player, competing in bridge tournaments as well as hosting bridge games at home reading about bridge and playing bridge games on a computer.

Helen had a great sense of humor and was very outgoing and friendly. As a result, she had many friends and always treasured her friendships.
Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Bob, her daughter, Patty, and her sister, Harriet. She is survived by her son, Ron, and his wife, Karen and her nephew, Terrell Carver (Judy) of Bristol, United Kingdom.

There will be no service. The family encourages Helen’s friends to leave comments on the Alden Waggoner website. Donations can be made in Helen’s name to Metro Meals on Wheels or to Idaho Talking Book Service at the Idaho Commission for Libraries.