Susan Ruth (Leigh) Hodgins

Susan Ruth Hodgins (nee Leigh) died in her sleep at home on March 6th, 2024. While her death
was very unexpected, we have confidence in the hope that we shall see her again in our
Father’s house. While she is sorely missed, she no longer has pain and is celebrating with her
parents and all who, like her, made their final graduation.
A Memorial Service to celebrate the life of Susan Ruth Hodgins, age 65, will be held at
Monterey Baptist Church in the Fellowship Hall on Saturday, March 16th at 4:00 CDT. Following
the service, you are invited to a reception with family and friends.
Susan was born on July 9th, 1958, in Toronto, ON, Canada, to her parents Allan & Ruth Leigh.
She was the middle child, with Robert and Debbie being her older siblings and Stephen and
Joanne being her younger siblings.
Her exuberance of life led her on endless adventures, including many careers and hobbies,
from running a cattle ranch to working in an apple orchard. She was happiest when she was
outside surrounded by nature, rain or shine, in the woods or on the beach. She had a strong
love of animals, including her dogs, horses, and even her adopted turtles.
Susan always had a smile on her face and would spare a moment to talk to anyone. She would
befriend anyone needing a friend or a bit more joy in their life. She was loyal to her friends even
when they lived thousands of miles away. She would do without if her family or friends were in
need.
She was also a wonderful grandmother to each of her grandchildren, Georgia, Max, Korine,
Augustine, KJ, and Maisie. Each one would elicit a smile that brightened her face so much; it
was such a gift whenever you saw it.
In her teens, Susan attended Forward Baptist Church in Toronto, Canada. It was at this church
that she began dating her future husband, John-Paul Hodgins. Their first true date was on July
1st, 1974 when she finally relented to having that first date. A couple of years later, on
December 6th, 1976, John-Paul proposed, and on May 13th, 1978, they married. Together, they
had 3 children - Lisa Jane (b. March 25, 1980), Ruth Susan (b. April 12, 1981) and James
Patrick (b. March 24, 1984). Susan loved being a mother, and each child has many happy
memories.
In 1996, John-Paul took a job in Houston, Texas. On July 4, 1996, Susan and their children
moved to be with her husband in Needville, Texas. While this move was extremely hard for the
children, Susan worked hard to make the move easier for them. Susan’s kitchen quickly
became a gathering space for many of the local high school students.
Susan’s mother was diagnosed with cancer early in 2012. Once again, Susan, always loving to
serve others, immediately became a caregiver to her mother. Susan left her job and traveled to
Toronto to care for her. She traveled between Round Rock, Texas, and Toronto, Canada,
several times that year. When her mother was admitted to the hospital in December 2013,

Susan remained in Toronto until she died in January 2013. Susan was selfless in her care for
her mother while communicating with her siblings and others who needed regular updates.
In recent years, Susan was diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease that required regular
dialysis treatments. These treatments were hard on her, critically lowering her blood pressure
during the treatments. For the last year, she switched to dialysis treatments in her home. While
easier on her than the in-clinic treatments, Susan still had difficulty with her treatments. She
often had pain that would make it hard to sleep.
Then, on Christmas 2023, Susan had severe chest pain that was diagnosed as a Major Heart
Event (or Heart Attack) that required Double Bypass Surgery on December 29th, 2023.
Following this surgery, Susan’s pain was extremely hard on her, often disturbing her sleep and
making it difficult to concentrate. On Tuesday, March 5th, Susan’s pain exceeded the intensity
of any previous pain. She couldn’t get comfortable, nor could she sleep. At some time during the
night, Susan slipped into glory, seeing her Redeemer for the first time.

Susan was preceded into heaven by her parents, Allan and Ruth Leigh. She is survived by her
siblings, her husband, John-Paul; her children, Lisa Ruth and James; her sons-in-law, Darryl
Bergen and Adam Martens; her daughter-in-law, Martha; and her six grandchildren, Georgia,
Max, Korine, Augustine, KJ, and Maisie.

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