Lorna Hodgkinson

Lorna Wilcox Hodgkinson was born in Green River, Wyoming, March 25th 1943 to David Alder Wilcox and Edith Sharp Wilcox. She was delivered at home by their Doctor who made house calls for births. She was the third of five children, born after her sister Yvonne and her brother David, followed by sisters Vicki and Linda.
Lorna passed away peacefully while resting at home with family by her side on the morning of July 13th 2024. She was a life-long warrior, loving daughter, sister, wife, mother and grandmother, and fierce friend.
In her early years, Lorna's family lived 3 miles outside Green River in a house with an outhouse and water collected from the nearby river for washing. At age 6 she contracted polio, which was several years prior to vaccine availability. During this period in the late 1940's, a half million mostly children worldwide contracted polio every year, leading to paralysis or death. Lorna was first quarantined at home under her mother's care then later was hospitalized in Rock Springs, WY. Miraculously, none of her family members contracted polio.
After her diagnosis, Lorna's doctor proclaimed she would never walk or feed herself again. Lorna never shied away from a challenge, so with help from a nurse well-versed in treating polio patients, Lorna quickly learned to raise her hand to the rail of her bed. Lorna continued to work, learning how to walk and care for herself independently. Over the course of her childhood, she had seven surgeries to correct a drop-foot and other effects of her initial bout with polio. She was sponsored by a Shriner who saw her limping in a train station and felt impressed to pay for her treatment. Lorna estimated that she spent a total of 2 years of her childhood at the Shriner's Hospital in Salt Lake City due to her numerous surgeries.
Lorna loved her siblings and had many fond memories of her sisters and brother. Her older brother, David, and older sister, Yvonne, loved to play with Lorna. David would repair Lorna's toys and bikes and taught her how to ride a motorcycle. David often helped Lorna with projects, including working on her motorized wheelchairs. Lorna liked to take Vicki to do things with her including on a friends trip to Mexico in her youth despite their 9 years age difference. Lorna remained close to her siblings throughout her life and talked to them by phone and always welcomed their visits. She often spoke with David who passed away just three weeks ago.
Lorna was inspired to become a photofinisher and photographer after learning about the field from a high school biology class and her teacher. She described designing a future home as part of a home economics class, which included a dark room for her own photofinishing business at its center. Lorna worked on her high school yearbook staff and after graduation, secured a job in photofinishing at the University of Laramie. She next moved to Utah and through her persistence landed a job with Inkley's where she worked for 35 years until her retirement. Lorna also started her own black & white photofinishing business inclusive of a dark room, which she built in her home basement, fulfilling a childhood dream. Lorna enjoyed success in her business as well as during her career at Inkley's. Many customers traveled for miles to have their photos developed by Lorna due to her expertise and their trust in her to handle their art and dear memories. She said she traveled the world over many times through the photos of her customers.
Due to her time away from home for medical treatment, Lorna graduated from high school at age 20. She sometimes found it difficult to relate to her younger classmates, but quickly came into her element when joining the local LDS institute in Laramie. Lorna made many friends from that time forth and was always introducing herself and making acquaintances wherever she went. It was obvious to her family that Lorna had a kind and welcoming heart and drew people to her. She was energized by meeting new people and making new friends.
Lorna made many friends during her single years in Ogden, UT, including elderly neighbors for whom she cared. Lorna adopted Leonora Crezee as a grandmother who later babysat Lorna's children. Every Christmas, Lorna and her family would buy and decorate a Christmas tree for Grandma Crezee and celebrated with her till she passed. During this time, Lorna also petitioned to adopt her niece who was in foster care, but the reviewers frowned upon placing children in a single-parent home.
Lorna had several hobbies, including drawing, painting, traveling, photography, and motorsports! Lorna loved riding the motorcycle her brother gave her before moving away from home, and a boyfriend encouraged her to buy her own bike even though it wasn't within the social norm at the time for a woman to be a biker. She also bought a dune buggy that could be driven around town or off-road. She was the life of many excursions with her love of off-roading and traveling.
At age 30, Lorna noticed a young man she recognized from the local LDS institute while visiting her grandparents in Sunset, UT. After she introduced herself, Gerald tracked down her work phone number and gave her a call to ask her on a date. Gerald was divorced and had two young children and had been dating for some time. Lorna was drawn to Gerald's testimony of Jesus Christ, which he had honed during a 2-year mission to the Gulf State Missions. Gerald was struck by Lorna's outgoing personality and kindness and found they had so much in common, including their love of popular music and collecting records. They knew they were meant for each other and were married on October 9th 1973, just one month after their first date. Lorna and Gerald celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last fall, a testament to their love and early strong first impressions of each other.
Lorna loved her two new children, Tammy, age 7, and Robert, age 4, jumping in as mom for the first time. Lorna and Gerald also welcomed two more children, Gerald Jr. and Elizabeth over the next few years of their marriage. Lorna juggled working and taking care of her children, choosing work schedules that allowed her to be home when the kids were home as much as possible. She loved teaching and sharing the gospel as well as the wonders of the world with her children. She encouraged them to develop their testimonies in the Savior to work hard at school and in their jobs, and to discover and develop their talents. Both Tammy and Elizabeth earned their Excellence in Young Womanhood Award, and Gerald Jr. is an Eagle Scout. Robert became a gourmet chef and has always been a hard worker. Above all, Lorna taught her children to love unconditionally, to be accepting of those with differences, and to especially be kind to those with disabilities. Three of Lorna's children have gone on to careers in the medical profession diagnosing, treating, and developing medical devices for those in need.
Lorna had many callings in the church, but especially loved teaching the 3-year old primary class. She also loved teaching a Mother Education class, in which she enjoyed conversations about raising families.
Lorna welcomed her first grandchild at age 45 when Tammy gave birth to Michael. This commenced a new calling for Lorna who loved her grandchildren with all her heart.
She and Gerald welcomed 14 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren into their family during her life. She and Gerald traveled to live with her children on multiple occasions to help care for grandchildren and loved living with Elizabeth and her husband Alex and their 5 children for a year as they waited for senior housing to become available after selling their family home of 40 years. Although Lorna was afflicted with post-polio syndrome the last decade or more of her life, she would often wear herself out with joy spending time with grandchildren.
Lorna was no stranger to health struggles but didn't let this hold her back. She was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 52 and beat the disease after a mastectomy and medical treatment. Lorna joined both cancer survivor and post-polio syndrome support groups sharing her love and experience and making many long-term friends. At age 71, Lorna was again diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a second mastectomy, medical therapy, and radiation therapy. Less than a year later, she experienced a blood stream infection related to her surgical incision and underwent prolonged antibiotic infusion therapy. Again, Lorna beat cancer, although it took a toll on her strength and endurance. Lorna was a fighter and ended up out surviving all the friends she made in prior support groups.
In later years, Lorna was a constant companion to Gerald. They cared for each other and complemented each other with their gifts and strengths. Lorna also continued to make friends and talked to everyone she could meet. Lorna remained true to her testimony of Christ and looked forward to a time when she and Gerald could relax from their worries and cares in the hereafter. We have reason to believe that she is content, yet watching over us as she always has. We now have another advocate waiting for our return to our Heavenly Father's abode.
Lorna is survived by her sisters and spouses Yvonne Wilcox, Vicki Ann and Dennis Batista Covolo; Sister-in-law Faye Sutton Wilcox; Children and spouses Tammy Lynn and Paul Anderson, Robert Nye Hodgkinson, Elizabeth Ann and Alex Easton, Gerald Jr. (Sam) Nye & Joyce Elise Hodgkinson; 14 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. Preceded in death by her mother and father: David Alder Wilcox and Edith Sharp Wilcox; Brother David Kay Wilcox; and sister Linda Eckhart. There are many on the other side we know are excited to greet her.
Services will be held at Leavitt's Mortuary and Aultorest Memorial Park
836 36th Street, Ogden, UT 84403
Wednesday July 17th
Viewing 1:00 pm
Funeral: 2:00 pm
Graveside service to follow at same location