Irene West Hodge

WILLIAMSBURG - Irene West Hodge, 98, died June 1, 2015 in Williamsburg. She was preceded in death by her husband, Morgan. Irene was born on January 20, 1917 in Clayton, Alabama. She lived her early life in Clayton and then attended Troy State Teacher's College and the University of Alabama. She taught elementary school in Alabama for several years and then moved to Washington, D.C. While living in D.C. she started a new career in fashion design and merchandising and worked for various clothiers until she met her husband, Morgan. After they were married, Irene began a third career as an artist in Springfield, Virginia. She started painting with oils and studied art when the family briefly lived in Japan, and then shifted her focus to acrylics, and then to watercolors. Irene especially loved to paint landscapes, water scenes and flowers. Her paintings were displayed throughout Virginia and D.C., and will be enjoyed by others forever. In addition to painting, she also loved to dance, garden, sew, and play bridge. She led a very active life into her nineties. Irene and Morgan lived in Springfield, Virginia for 34 years and then retired to Williamsburg in 1990 to be close to their daughters. Some of her happiest times were spent dancing with Morgan and being with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Irene is survived by her daughter, Debbie H. Linkenauger; and her daughter, Diana H. Linkenauger and her husband, David; six grandchildren, Monty Linkenauger, Morgan Linkenauger and his wife, Lauren, David Linkenauger and his wife, Katie, Anna Linkenauger King and her husband, Tyler, Eva Linkenauger Frisbie and her husband, Tyler, and Kurt Linkenauger; two great-grandchildren, Oliver and Owen Linkenauger; and many other nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She was preceded in death by four brothers and three sisters. A service in celebration of her life will be held at 12:00 noon on Friday, June 5, 2015 at the Williamsburg United Methodist Church, 500 Jamestown Road. There will be a reception following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, P. O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011 or online at: http://www.alz.org/join_the_cause_donate.asp