Rita C. (Alexander) Hodgins |
| Posted 2009-10-30 by Judy Wight Branson |
| The Arizona Daily Sun, Flagstaff, Arizona Thursday, October 22, 2009 Rita C. Alexander Hodgins, 61, died on Oct. 1, 2009, after courageously facing pancreatic cancer. She was born in Cleveland, Ohio on Jan. 21, 1948. Her family moved to Scottsdale in 1962 where Mrs. Hodgins graduated from Scottsdale High School in 1966. She was a young stateside newlywed mother-to-be during the Vietnam War. Later she earned two degrees from Arizona State University -- a bachelor of arts and a master of fine arts in multicultural studies. She moved to Flagstaff in the late 1970s, taught painting at Coconino Community College and was a longtime art educator. Her own fine art was in mixed media. She was also a self-employed entrepreneur wholesaling Indian arts and was a past president of the Indian Arts and Crafts Association. Prior to her illness she was employed by the Navajo- Hopi Observer as advertising director. Most recently she served on the staff of the Museum of Northern Arizona as an Indian arts buyer and retail manager. During her cancer treatments she worked writing resumes and cover letters for professionals affected by recent economic downsizing. She was also a speaker, journalist, a paralegal and marriage minister. Life-long learning was her mantra. She was passionate about art, history, archeology and Native people, and she loved animals. Mrs. Hodgins is survived by her devoted husband and best friend, L. Bruce Hodgins of Flagstaff; father-in-law Wellesley Hodgins of Farmington, N.M.; daughter Holly Ann (Dan) Walker of Glendale; sister Alexa (Brad) Hokanson of Fallbrook, Calif.; two grandchildren; and many other beloved friends and colleagues. She was preceded in death by her parents, Clara and Alex Rebik; her mother-in-law Mary Hodgins; and both sets of grandparents. A memorial service will be Monday, Oct. 26, at 1 p.m. at Lozano's Flagstaff Mortuary, 2545 N. Fourth St. Per Mrs. Hodgins' request, if you plan to attend the memorial service, please do not wear black. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Northland Hospice, PO Box 997, Flagstaff, AZ 86002. Condolences can be left at condolences@ Lozanos-FlagstaffMortuary.com. Lozano's Flagstaff Mortuary is handling the arrangements. |
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