Helen Hodsden

Wherever Helen was, there was music. Born in Chetopa, Kansas in 1921, she learned to play on a piano gifted from her grandmother, an accomplished organist. Though she had no formal training before the 8th grade, Helen had a remarkable ear and talent for piano. She only had to hear a song once, and she could sit down and play it. She rode to and from school on the family’s horse, named Duster. Every free moment she had, she spent playing.

In 1938, she attended Baker University on a piano scholarship, followed by a year at Chillicothe Business College in Missouri. Despite a busy administrative career, Helen always found time for her music, playing with local bands, accompanying choirs, or dancing at the USO. She met her husband, Stephen Hodsden, while working as a secretary in Springfield, MO.

Stephen and Helen moved to Baltimore, Ohio in 1953, where they raised their family and became active members of the Christ United Methodist Church. When she wasn’t keeping the books of her husband’s growing medical practice, Helen gave her time to numerous volunteer organizations and committees, as well as local women’s groups, including Twig and Wimodausis. She gave freely of her talents, serving as church organist for 35 years. For 25 years, she found time to give private piano lessons, where she rewarded the efforts of budding Baltimore musicians with watermelon bubblegum.

In her later years, Helen was not content to sit at home, and she traveled extensively with her friends, her church and her family. She joined the church on a trip to Israel and traveled around the country competing in ball room dance competitions, which kept her active and fit. A natural night owl, she kept busy playing “gigs” with a local jazz band and provided music for over 100 weddings.

Helen passed away on January 16, 2018 after 96 years of loving service to the Lord, her family and her community.

She is survived by her son, James E. (Lynda) Hodsden M.D. of Pickerington; daughter, Teresa L. (Dean) Chappelle of Gahanna; grandchildren, Joshua James Hodsden, Suzanne Elizabeth Hodsden, Robert Dean (Erin) Chappelle, Thomas Craig Chappelle, and Stephen Jack Chappelle; great grandchildren, James Dean Chappelle, Jack Stephen Chappelle, Jude Robert Chappelle, Amelia Grace Hodsden, and Delilah Ann Hodsden; sister, Margaret E. Armstrong of Leawood, Kansas; brothers, Richard N. Newton of Kansas City, Missouri and Benjamin (Lorna) Newton of Grandview, Missouri; and several nieces and nephews.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Stephen R. Hodsden; parents, Clarence Hitchcock Newton and Kathryn (Leaf) Newton; sister, Alice Jeanne Roller; and brother, Dwight E. Newton.

Family and friends may visit from 2 to 4 PM and 6 to 8 PM Friday at the JOHNSON-SMITH FUNERAL HOME, Baltimore. Funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday at Christ United Methodist Church in Baltimore. Caring Cremation will follow the services and burial will take place at a later date in Maple Grove Cemetery, Baltimore.

Donations may be made in memory of Helen to Christ United Methodist Church, 700 S Main St, Baltimore, OH 43105 or Wesley Hospice, 4588 Wesley Woods Blvd., Suite 2A, New Albany, OH 43054.

Visitation

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM ,Friday, January 19, 2018
Johnson-Smith Funeral Home
207 S Main St. Baltimore, OH 43105

Visitation

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM ,Friday, January 19, 2018
Johnson-Smith Funeral Home
207 S Main St. Baltimore, OH 43105

Funeral Service

11:00 AM ,Saturday, January 20, 2018
Christ United Methodist Church
700 South Main Street Baltimore, Ohio 43105