Helene Hodge Rodier

1920 - 2014

Helene Hodge Rodier
August 23, 1920 ~ July 12, 2014
Resident of Lafayette
Helene passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus. She was born in Seattle, WA. When she was 2 ½ her family moved to the Santa Monica canyon where her grandfather had built a house ½ block from the beach.
At age 8, Helene and her family went on an extended tour of Europe. This was just the beginning of many summer cruises with her family that fostered an enduring love of travel.
Throughout her youth, Helene loved to ride horses in the hills surrounding the canyon and at the Will Rogers ranch. She attended Beverly Hills High School for 1 year and then transferred to Santa Monica High School. There she was involved in many activities, sports, and was a song and yell leader. She was also the Santa Monica City Women's Badminton Champion in 1937. Helene graduated from Santa Monica High School at the age of 16 and then attended UCLA where she joined the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. Two years later she transferred to Cal Berkeley.
Helene met Charles her first day on campus. They were married in 1942 and 7 months later he entered the Navy. At that time, she moved back home and became a volunteer for the Blood Bank. After the war, they moved to Pleasant Hill where her daughters Daphne and Suzie were born. Helene was a founding member of the Lindsay Wildlife Museum Alliance, a member of the Towhee unit of the Mt. Diablo Rehabilitation Center, and secretary for the Diablo Cotillion. She also joined the Laurel Jr. Branch of Children's Hospital.
"Charlie" and Helene moved to Lafayette in 1961 where she became involved in the Contra Costa County Republican Women. She was a longtime member of Walnut Creek Presbyterian Church where she served as a parish minister and a deacon and eventually became chairman of the deacons. She joined a Joy of Living Study Group, which she continued for 20 years, the last 5 of which she was a discussion leader. She was active in the Europe Mission Support Group of WCPC, and Helen also volunteered for the CA Women's Retreat for 10 years.
Helene loved to play golf and was a member of Contra Costa Country Club for 25 years. She served twice as captain of the Divoteers and was able to continue golfing until she was 89. She enjoyed playing bridge with her numerous groups and was also an excellent photographer. She chronicled her many travels through her beautiful pictures. Through all these many activities, she has enjoyed many relationships and made many lifelong friends. She considered herself very blessed.
Helene was predeceased by her grandson Matthew Snow and Charles Rodier. She is survived by her brother Herb Hodge of Kailua, HI; her daughters Daphne Snow (Allen) of Danville, CA and Suzie Bierman (Rob) of Post Falls, ID; grandchildren Michael Snow (Jen) of Danville, CA, Monica Thomas (Dan) of Coeur D'Alene, ID, Kevin Bierman (Lauren) of Hayden, ID; and great grandchildren Alana and Cooper Thomas, and Hayden and Ryder Snow.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Lindsay Wildlife Museum Alliance or the American Cancer Society in Helene's name.
Celebration of the life will be held at the Walnut Creek Presbyterian Church, 1801 Lacassie Avenue in Walnut Creek, CA on Friday, July 25th at 11 AM.