Maryalyce Lange Hodakowski

1938 - 2020

Maryalyce Lange Hodakowski, 82, passed away Oct. 12, 2020, at her residence.

Maryalyce was born in Wilkes-Barre on May 4, 1938. She was a daughter of the late Edward C. and Vera Goman Lange. She was a 1956 graduate of E.L. Meyers High School, where in her senior yearbook, she was described as the "class clown."

She retired as the development assistant at WVIA Public Broadcasting, Pittston. While at WVIA, she starred in and won an Addy award for a 30-second promotional spot titled "The Polka Lady." This was the first time the local station had won an award. This spot also garnered an Addy award from the Ad Club of N.E.P.A.

After retiring, Maryalyce continued to work as a foster grandparent at Kistler Elementary School, Wilkes-Barre, working with children with special needs. She also served on the board for the advisory counsel for the Grandparent Program of Luzerne County for a short time.

She was an avid fan of the N.Y. Yankees and never missed an episode of Judge Judy. She loved gardening, cooking, sewing, knitting and crocheting but her greatest love was swimming and still diving up to age 80. She was also a member of the Wilkes-Barre Polka Pals and enjoyed dancing in her younger years. Maryalyce and her brother, Edward, won a first place trophy in a polka contest in upstate New York. She also loved attending the monthly luncheons with her classmates at the Wyoming Valley Country Club. As the matriarch of the Hodakowski family, she loved attending and cooking for family reunions.

Until her death, Maryalyce lived in Wilkes-Barre and was a member of St. Mary's Church of the Immaculate Conception, formerly St. Theresa, Old River Road, Wilkes-Barre.

Maryalyce was preceded in death by her husband of 43 years, Stanley Hodakowski, who passed away in 2007; a sister, Phyllis Hooper; and brother, Edward Lange.

Surviving are a son, Edward "Skipper" Hodakowski and his wife, April, now in Japan; grandchildren, Morgan, Justin and Gracie; great-grandchildren, Emily, Ryan, Dylan, Benjamin and Landon, all of Missouri; sister, Paula Lange, Wilkes-Barre; several nieces and nephews; and dear friend, Jane Noonan.

A memorial service will be held at 5 p.m. Sunday at Kniffen O'Malley Leffler Funeral & Cremation Services, 465 S. Main St., Wilkes-Barre. Family and friends may visit from 3 to 5 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Blue Chip Animal Refuge, 974 Lockville Road, Dallas, PA 18612.

Condolences may be sent to kniffenfuneralhome.com.