Shirley Joanne Hodges

Today we write to announce and mourn the loss of our beloved mother, sister, and friend, Shirley Hodges.  She passed away in her home during the early morning hours on Sunday February, 9 at the age of 75.

Born Shirley Joanne Romine on June 1, 1949 at Vail Hospital in Topeka, Ks to parents Boyd E. Romine and M. Pauline Romine. She grew up on a farm in Burlingame, Kansas with her brother, Don, whom she affectionately referred to as Don Stevie.  She was extraordinarily proud to be a farm kid.  It's where she learned the value of hard work and the importance of honesty, patience, and kindness; qualities which never left her.  She graduated from Burlingame High School in 1967 with honors her Senior year and attended Washburn University.  She was a supporter of her BHS Bearcats and K-State Wildcats until the very end.

On August 30, 1980, she wed Carl F. Hodges at a ceremony in the Federated Church of Burlingame.  From this marriage came her two sons, Joshua and Christopher.  She would say they were the source of her greatest joys in life, but 2 events demonstrated her capacity to love unconditionally, more than any other.  When Josh was in the hospital with a brain hemorrhage, she would stay by his bedside every day wearing his black hooded sweatshirt, hoping and praying until he recovered.  She would never give the sweatshirt back.  She also endured a house fire started by her son, Chris.  For this, she was given the nickname "Smokey" by her coworkers.  She had always said she wanted a new roof.

In total, Shirley spent more than 40 years working for AT&T in a number of roles.  To get her first job there, she'd pound the pavement every week and ask the receptionist if there was any work available.  She would inevitably be told no but her resume would be moved to the top of the pile.  Owing to the qualities she developed early on in her life, she would ultimately get the call and the rest is history.  Prior to AT&T, she worked briefly in public relations.

She had a fondness for Neil Diamond, gardening, cooking, and travelling.  In her life, she got to see so many of the most awe-inspiring places in this country.  New York, Honolulu, and Yellowstone were her favorites.  While she liked being away, it was her home of which she was most proud.  In retirement, she took on numerous home improvement projects, read voraciously, and enjoyed trying new restaurants.  She was looking forward to getting a new patio set and a German Shepherd mix.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Boyd (2000) and Pauline (2009), and her former husband Carl (2013).

She is survived by her brother Donald S. Romine (81) of Burlingame, and her two sons, Joshua B Hodges (43) and Christopher P. Hodges (42), both of Topeka.

On Saturday, February 22, there will be a viewing at the Mount Hope Cemetery Chapel (4700 SW 17th St, Topeka, Ks 66604) at 10:00am followed by a memorial service at 11:00am.  In accordance with her wishes, she will then be cremated.  No graveside service is planned at this time.

While she loved flowers, the cause nearest to her was the Topeka Rescue Mission (600 N Kansas Ave. Topeka, Ks 66608).  Donations in her name would also be welcome.