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Mary Elizabeth Hodges, 81, died Tuesday, Sept. 27.

She was a resident of Oakdale since 1995 and previously lived in San Lorenzo, Hayward and Quincy.

She was born in West Virginia to Phillip and Rosa Tagnesi, who migrated to the U.S. from Sicily. She later moved to Brooklyn, New York with her family and in 1949 she moved to Oakland, was married, and began her family.

Mrs. Hodges found great happiness in gardening, cooking, music, old musical movies, and being with family and friends. She smelled the roses, said it like she saw it, and sang and danced to the songs she loved. She will be missed. The family thanks her daily caregivers Shirley Girl and Bobby for their dedicated loving support.

She is survived by her son, Robert Castro, Jr. of Oakdale; daughters, Gloria (Reg) Aguiar of San Ramon, Linda (Rich) Van Buskirk of Livermore; stepchildren, Paul Jr. (Pat) Hodges of Hayward, James (Pam) Hodges of Livermore, Sharon Hodges (Bob Licon) of Livermore, Shirley (Stuart) Kelly of Ponderosa, Sandi (Kim) Laursen of Bedford, Texas, John (Jan) Hodges of Royal Oakes; and her former husband, Robert Castro, Sr. of San Leandro; 22 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Paul W. Hodges, Sr.; her only sibling, Samuel Tagnesi; and her parents.

A private family memorial service will be held at a later date. Remembrances may be made in her memory to the American Diabetes Association.

The Oakdale (Calif.) Leader

Oct. 12, 2011