Pauline Peterson Hodge

Loving mother and friend, Polly Hodge passed away peacefully on June 21, 2023 in the company of her daughter, Sharon Hodge, and her son-in-law, Evan Rodewald. She was preceded in death by parents, Paul Peterson and Mabel Peterson, and husband of 52 years, Paul Hodge.

Polly’s personal warmth and gentleness obscured how strong, even tough, she was. A child of the Depression, she lost her father at 17, and came of age during World War II. Throughout her life she faced adversity with equanimity and rarely complained.

She had a big heart, a sharp mind, an incredible memory, and an easy laugh. As Polly would often say of her father, she “never met a stranger.” An extrovert, she drew her energy from conversation and connections with others. Her love of connection explained her obsession with dates, especially birth dates, and her passion for sending and collecting greeting cards.

She was born in Norfolk, Virginia, in 1924. As an only child she compensated for her lack of siblings by forming close bonds with aunts, uncles, and cousins. And throughout her long life, she formed close friendships with people of all ages. Family and friends all felt her unconditional love. And while she had only one child, this ability to love unconditionally, made her a second mother to many.

Always serious about her studies, she graduated seventh out of 340 students in the 1943 class at Maury High School in Norfolk, Virginia.

At age 16, she started working at a dime store, and after high school worked at Liberty Mutual Insurance Company for 18 years. For 39 years she and her husband owned and operated Unique TV, a TV and appliance repair business. There she proved to be an astute businesswoman with a warm, friendly presence for customers and employees.

At the age of 85, Polly moved to Chapel Hill, NC to live with her daughter and son-in-law. This final chapter of her life was immeasurably enriched by the friendships she quickly formed in her adopted community along with a newfound love of travel, especially if it involved cruises! A long-time Tarheel basketball fan, she obsessively followed UNC’s every season.

Those who knew her were often impressed with her memory for names, dates, details and trivia. She loved movies all her life, and before the Internet, questions or disputes about which actor appeared in what movie—new or old—could be settled by a quick call to Polly, who almost always knew the answer.

She was excellent company and had a great sense of humor. We loved watching her listen to a story, leaning in, eyes sparking as they locked into those of the speaker’s, and always getting the joke.

She embodied the idea that the secret to a good life was in close, high-quality relationships with others.

Polly is survived by her daughter, Sharon Hodge, and her son-in-law, Evan Rodewald, of Chapel Hill, NC; numerous cousins; and many friends.

Polly’s Celebration of Life Service will be held Thursday, June 29, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at Rosewood-Kellum Funeral Home with Pastor Dr. Kelly Burris, officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service in the funeral home. Interment in Rosewood Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations in Polly’s name may be made to the UNC Health Foundation, Chatham Hospital Fund for Excellence, unchf.org/chatham