Jean Elizabeth Hodgkinson

She was born Elizabeth Jean Bunton in Burlington North Carolina to the late Carl and Inez Bunton, on August 18, 1927. Jean graduated from Shelby High School in 1944, and attended college in Dayton Ohio,

Jean was preceded in death by her husband, Fred Hodgkinson, sister, Mildred Kirby-Blaire, and brothers, Carl Bunton and Larry Bunton.

She is survived by daughters, Janet Baca of Lincoln City, Oregon, and Susan Freedlund, of Hickory North Carolina. She is also survived by 8 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-granddaughter.

She married the late Fredrick Hodgkinson on April 30, 1949 in New York, and resided there until 1962. At that time they packed up and headed west to Los Angeles, California, where they settled for the next 25 years. During that time, Jean worked for Bell Telephone, kept busy with her crafting projects, and with Fred, started an aircraft cleaning company. They owned a small private plane, and enjoyed taking trips to Santa Barbara, Las Vegas, and wherever they’re hearts desired. Jean retired in 1983, and continued her crafting projects.

Jean and Fred relocated to Conover, North Carolina in 1987, to care for her mother Inez. Her daughters and grandchildren joined them there. Many happy memories were made at the family get-togethers held at their home. Birthdays, holidays and anniversaries were spent with the family gathered for dinners and bar-b-ques.

Details are being handled by Catawba Memorial Park with date and time if internment to be announced.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to The Humane Society of Catawba County.