Shay Hodson

Obituary for Shay Suzanne "Suzie" Hodson

December 17, 1954 - March 17, 2025

Shay Suzanne "Suzie" Hodson, a mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully on March 17, 2025, in Escondido, California, at the age of 70.

Born on December 17, 1954, in Oceanside, California, Suzie's life was marked by a deep love for others, a vibrant free spirit, and a heart open to all that life had to offer. As a young girl, her radiant curiosity and charm shone brightly-often introducing herself to neighbors with a cheerful, "Hi, I'm Suzie! What's your name?" That welcoming nature followed her throughout her life.

Suzie was a proud member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was deeply connected to the western lifestyle. She had a lifelong love for animals, especially horses and dairy cows, and spent cherished years living on a dairy farm and Brahman cattle ranch. Her home was filled with warmth, laughter, and her beloved collection of dairy cow trinkets.

In her early years, Suzie wore many hats with grace and dedication. She was a hardworking and loving mother who gave her heart to raising her five sons-Justin, Michael, Adam, Christien, and Andrew Hodson. She was a PTA mom, Little League mom, Cub Scout mom, and a domestic force of nature-sewing clothes, cooking meals, and making a house a home. Suzie also played a vital role in managing and doing the books for the family business and contributed to her community through her writing, penning a column for the local newspaper titled The Boulevard Bugle.

Though Suzie faced personal struggles later in life, including a long battle with addiction, she never lost the core of who she was: someone who loved deeply and wanted to be loved in return. Even through hardship, she remained a teacher in her own way-offering life lessons, guidance, and hard-earned wisdom that now live on in those she touched.

One of her final wishes was for healing within her family-a wish that will be honored in her memory and legacy.

Suzie is survived by her five sons, eight grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren, as well as her sister Chris and her half-brother Gary. She was preceded in death by her mother, Sharon Andreson, and her father, Cloyd Sorensen, Jr.

She will be remembered for her openness, her creativity, her humor, and her deep love of family. Her spirit lives on in the lives she helped shape and the love she gave so freely.

In her final days, when she asked, "Am I dying?" the answer was simple-no. Suzie now lives on in all of us. She is finally free-walking on the clouds she once dreamed of as a child.