Margaret Lorraine Hodges

Born October 29, 1924 in Casper, Wyoming, Margaret was raised in Scottsbluff, Nebraska and Colorado. She graduated from Scottsbluff High School and attended Scottsbluff Junior College. She was first married to Edward W. Hehemann and then divorced in 1954.

Margaret came to Washington, D.C. as part of the Eisenhower Presidential Campaign in 1952. She was Secretary to the Honorable Sherman Adams, the Presidential Chief of Staff. Later she became Director of Administration for a regional office of the Federal Civil Defense Administration and then head of Civil Defense for the Vocational Rehabilitation Administration, part of the Office of Health, Education and Welfare. She also led the Surrogate Women’s Speaking Teams for the Richard M. Nixon Re-election Committee in 1972.

After marrying Walter J. Hodges, a real estate developer in Washington, D.C. and Virginia in 1960, Margaret left government service and became involved in civilian and social affairs in the Washington, D.C area. Mr. Hodges died from cancer in 1978.

Margaret was a dedicated volunteer and served as a member of the National Symphony Board, the American Cancer Society, the International Eye Foundation, the Smithsonian’s Women’s Committee, the local Red Cross Committee and other local charity committees. In 1985, she founded the Lombardi Cancer Gala in support of the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center at Georgetown University Medical Center. She was appointed by President George H.W. Bush as a member of the National Advisory Committee of the Arts in 1991. Margaret received the Patrick Healy Award from Georgetown University Alumni Association in 1992 and served as a member of the Georgetown University Board of Regents from 1994 through 1999.

Margaret loved socializing with her friends and family, especially at her home, Following Seas, in Jamaica. She was also passionate about traveling, backgammon, golf and bridge and had a smile and bright eyes that could light up a room.

Margaret was preceded in death by her daughter, Sheryl Lee Hehemann in 1969. She is survived by two children: Laurie Hodges Lapeyre of New York City, NY and Dr. Walter J. Hodges Jr., of Fairfax, VA and by five grandchildren, one great-grandchild and numerous nieces and nephews.

Family will receive friends Saturday, September 29, 2018 from 10-11:00 am with funeral service at 11:00 am at Joseph Gawler’s Sons, LLC. 5130 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016. Interment to be private. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center at Georgetown University.