Elizabeth “Betty” McCraw Hodnett
October 5, 1931 – March 26, 2022
Elizabeth “Betty” Hodnett (née McCraw), 90, of Richmond, VA passed away on Saturday, March 26, 2022.
Betty was born in Toronto, Canada in 1932 and moved to Lynn, MA when she was four years old. She received her BA in American Civilization from Pembroke College in Brown University in Providence, RI in 1953. She met Robert “Bob” Anderson Hodnett during a holiday break, and they were married several years later. Bob’s career as a naval officer provided them the opportunity to travel. Their daughter, Jennifer was born in Monterey, CA and their son, John was born in Norfolk, VA. As a naval family, they lived in Cape Canaveral, FL, Annandale, VA and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil before moving back to Virginia. Upon Bob’s retirement in 1974, they moved from Dahlgren to Richmond, VA, where they made their home. Betty moved to Discovery Village in Richmond, VA in 2016 as one of the community’s first residents. She served over 35 years as a volunteer at the Johnston-Willis Hospital gift shop, and was an avid bridge and Rummikub player. Most of all she enjoyed sharing social hour and dinner with her “posse” where a good time was had by all!
Grieving her loss are her daughter, Jennifer Tektiridis (Minas), son, John Hodnett (Geri), grandchildren Casey and Luke Hodnett and step-grandchildren Marshall and Amanda Weakley. She was preceded in death by her husband, Cmdr. Robert A. Hodnett, USN (Ret.).
A private interment will take place at Quantico National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Betty’s name to the charity of your choice.
I am saddened to learn of Betty’s passing. I have known her since I moved to Discovery Village five years ago. She was a lovely, concerned, and kind person. We played Bridge together at least once a month. She began our Party Bridge monthly event by organizing the tables, passing out the rotation slips, and wrapping and presenting a bottle of wine to the highest scoring person. We often had three or four participating tables.
I live across the floor from Betty’s daughter-in- law Geri’s mother. I remember when they moved here from Kentucky to be closer to Betty’s son and Geri.
O offer my sympathy and prayers to the whole family.
Betty was an amazing and fun volunteer at Johnston-Willis Hospital , and I feel privileged to have known her. She volunteered over 35 amazing years and contributed over 6700 hours working Friday afternoons in the gift shop with her friend Reta. Everyone who volunteered on Fridays weren’t just fellow volunteers they were all her friends. She had an amazing smile that was always so warm and welcoming perfect for working in the gift shop. Besides working in the gift shop “she was always a great customer too! he he he . We will miss her deeply but her legacy as a volunteer will live on.
Such a loss. A great woman, mother, and grandmother . Always witty, happy and interesting. The world will be a little more boring without her. It was lovely to see her “wine-ing” on her birthday with the family. Heartfelt condolences to you all.
My heart goes out to Betty’s family with their loss, I knew Betty few years while volunteering at CJW hospital. You couldn’t find a sweeter, kinder person then Betty in the gift shop. She would welcome you as a friend, and help you find the exact item you were looking for. I remember Friday’s the gift shop was filled with laughter, from Betty and Reta helping out customer. What joy it was to hear them laugh ! it made your day starting on a happy note.
Betty, I will always remember you and miss you my friend..