Bessie Violet Hodson

Bessie Violet Hodson was born in Taumarunui, New Zealand on November 12, 1926, to John and Ivy Runciman, and passed away on March 16, 2018, in Lynnwood, Washington.

She was the second oldest of seven children and grew up on a sheep farm where she learned the value of hard work. She completed her training to become a Registered Nurse in New Zealand and then came to the USA by boat in 1950 to visit her older sister in Missouri and to travel around the country. For three years she travelled around the USA working as a nurse and seeing the country, exhibiting her independent spirit.

While working in Tillamook in 1952, she met her future husband, Victor C. Hodson, and they married on October 3, 1953, settling in Hillsboro, Oregon. Vic had two boys from his first marriage, so she had a ready-made family. Bessie and Vic had three children of their own. She stayed home raising her children in their early years and later worked part-time nursing. She and Vic also had a small U-Pick raspberry and boysenberry farm outside of Hillsboro to supplement their income.

She loved to sew and knit her own clothing and her skill at tatting enabled her to tat a beautiful halo for her daughter’s wedding veil. She knitted many items for babies which she donated to families in need. Her three grandchildren were the recipients of many of her lovely knitted clothes.

Bessie loved to travel with her family in the USA and she and Vic made several trips to New Zealand to visit her birth family. After Vic passed away in 1993, she traveled to Europe and made more trips to see family in New Zealand. Her travel photo albums provided her with great memories in her later years.

She accepted Christ as her Savior when she was young and throughout her life she quietly lived out her faith by volunteering at her church – babysitting children so their mothers could meet together, serving as a deaconess and visiting shut-ins.

She was a loving grandmother to her three grandsons, spending as much time as she could with each of them. They have many fond memories of her that will sustain them throughout their lives.

Although she lived with progressing Alzheimer’s for most of the last 10 years, her gentle quiet spirit, kind and generous heart, and loving, calm manner was always apparent to everyone around her, even when she was unable to verbalize her thoughts near the end of her life. She spent her last year living in a wonderful memory care facility in Lynnwood, Washington, where she was well cared for and could spend quality time with her daughter. The caregivers spoke lovingly of her and could see her sweet personality and gentle spirit shining through her even through her Alzheimer’s.

Bessie’s strong Christian faith was evident even in her Alzheimer’s and she always had the assurance that she would one day be in heaven, reunited with her family and friends. She will be greatly missed by everyone who knew her.

She is survived by her daughter Linda Berkompas of Everett, Washington, son Dale Hodson of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, son-in-law David Berkompas and daughter-in-law Deborah Hodson, grandchildren Kyle Berkompas, Aaron Berkompas and Cameron Hodson, and siblings Hazel Putnam, Phil Runciman, Avis Nelson, Rosalie Lumley, and Gloria Reid, and brother-in-law Lawrence Forlong. Bessie was preceded in death by her husband, Victor C. Hodson, son Steven K. Hodson, stepsons Vincent L. Hodson and Larry W. Hodson, and sister Elsie Forlong.

A celebration of her life will take place at Donelson Funeral Chapel in Hillsboro, Oregon, on May 12, 2018 at 2 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon, the Alzheimer’s Association or Hospice.