Mary Joan Hodson

Mary “Mary Joan” Hodson (nee Durbin), 81, of Cuyahoga Falls, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on September 30th after a recent health battle. Born in Akron, she was a lifelong Cuyahoga Falls resident and a St. Joseph parishioner for most of her life. Along with her beloved husband, Jerry, she raised four of us kids on 8th Street.

She attended St. Joseph School and graduated from St. Mary High School in Akron. She worked as a medical assistant but spent most of her working years as a home babysitter—which she loved! Like Dad, Mom loved to bowl, spend time with family at Grandma’s farm, and cheer on her favorite Cleveland sports teams. She loved her Lawrence Welk—the weekly TV show and his music. And we can’t forget The Sound of Music, Little House on the Prairie, and The Waltons! She also loved working in the garden and tending to her flowers. Most recently, she enjoyed playing Bingo with her new friends.

At Christmas time, it was all about pizzelles, and family gatherings always meant Pear Salad!

Mom and Dad spent almost 47 years together before Dad passed in 2015. Mom leaves behind Mark & Jodi, Michael & Becky, Matthew, and David & Tracy Walter, along with her grandchildren Joshua, Evan, Ryan, Jordan, Riley, Mason, and Jacob, to honor and remember her. She also leaves behind her sisters-in-law Monica, Dale, Carol, Rosemary, Mary Rita, and Teresa, along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins—especially Mary Ann and Judy Garske.

We also had our 8th Street family: the Johnsons, the Phillips, the Ritzes, the McCarthys, the Houcks, Denny & Judy, Mrs. Loesch, Mrs. Runkle, and all of her other friends, past and present.

Mom is now reunited with Dad, along with her parents, John and Mary Durbin; parents-in-law, Herman and Marie Hodson; brothers, Jack, William, and James Durbin; brothers-in-law, Bob Dunaway and William Hodson; and her nephew, Michael Durbin. Also, her special furry friends—Jackson, Bernie, and the Lucys.

Mom was a fighter! While her body gave in, she remained mentally strong until the end. Though we deeply miss her, we know she is in a much better place and find peace knowing she is no longer suffering. She was ready to “go home.”

We would like to thank the staff at Falls Village for taking such good care of her and working with her through rehab. Thank you to the Cuyahoga Falls Fire Department for the excellent care in transporting her to various emergency rooms, and to everyone at UH Portage and Akron City for their care and efforts for Mom.

A celebration of her life will take place in the spring—a season of renewal—with details to come. While Mom loved flowers, she would also have appreciated a gift to one of these two helping organizations. Please consider donating to:

• - Cuyahoga Falls Good Neighbors: https://cfgoodneighbors.org/ (click the “DONATE” tab near the top), or
• - One of a Kind Pet Rescue: https://www.monstertracker.systems/landing/one-of-a-kind-pet-rescue-make-a-difference/