Shrewsbury – Barbara E. Hodsdon, 89, of Shrewsbury, formerly of Westborough, passed away peacefully at home Friday, Oct. 10, 2014, surrounded by her loving family. She was the wife of Harvey F. Hodsdon to whom she has been married for 64 years.
Born in Boston, she was the daughter of the late Dr. John A. and Emily (Gunn) Nash. She was raised and educated in Wrentham and was a graduate of Boston University, where she earned a degree in Business Administration.
After raising her family, Barbara became employed as an office manager for Wilkins-Geddes in Natick for 20 years prior to her retirement.
Barbara was a communicant of St. Luke the Evangelist Church, where she was instrumental in starting the recitation of the rosary after the daily Mass. She also sang in the choir for many years and was the co-chair of the Pro-Life Committee. Most of all, she was devoted to her entire family.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by her six children, Michael F. Hodsdon and his wife Adrienne of San Ramon, Ca., Peter J. Hodsdon and his wife Kathleen of Encinitas, Ca., Philip R. Hodsdon and his wife Michelle of Santa Cruz, Ca., Patricia M. Mongeau and her husband Peter of Berlin, Julia M. Basque and her husband James of Westborough, and Jill M. Ishkanian and her husband Peter of Shrewsbury; one sister, Mary Louise McGowan of Warwick, R.I.; a brother-in-law, Jack Dowding of Wilbraham; 16 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She was the mother of the late Stephen J. Hodsdon and sister of the late Dr. John Nash Jr. and Dorothy Dowding.
Her funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday, October 18, at 10 a.m., in St. Luke the Evangelist Church, 70 West Main St., Westborough. Burial will follow in St. Luke’s Cemetery. Calling hours will be held in the church on Friday, Oct. 17, from 5-8 p.m.
