NELLIE HODGE

Nellie Santamour Hodge was born September 27, 1923 in the Town of Diana, the daughter of John and Nellie Corey Santamour. After moving to Noblesboro at age two the family moved to Poland when she was five.

After graduating from Poland Central School in 1942 she worked at Rome Air Base. She became a WAVE on November 18, 1943, completing her basic training at Hunter College in New York. After obtaining yeoman training at Oklahoma A & M she began her Yeoman/secretarial duties in Washington, D.C. After her discharge in January, 1945 she married Walt Hodge in December of 1945. After a happy marriage of over 53 years Walt died February 20, 1999.

They lived in Hamilton until they moved into the family homestead on Russia Road in 1949, where Nellie still resides. She has four children – Elaine Levesque, W. David, Craig, and Bruce, seven grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren. While her children were young Nellie was a busy housewife and mother, occasionally substituting in the cafeteria at Poland School. In 1968 she became a full-time library aide at PCS, retiring in 1986.

A loyal Democrat, Nellie has been an election inspector for the Town of Russia for over a decade. She has also been an inspector at school elections for many years. She participates in fund raising activities for the Russia Civic Association by baking for and working at their bake sales.

She is a member of Unit 26 Leather Stocking WAVES. She doesn’t just talk of patriotism. While attending a family reunion at Kuyahoora Town Park last summer Nellie noticed that the American flag was tattered and needed replacing. The next day she went and bought a flag, which she presented to the Town Supervisor.

But Nellie’s biggest pleasure comes from staying involved in the lives of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She enjoys babysitting and attending family events and school functions.

She has many fond memories of Poland Central School. She had fun working for Fran Warren, who was a super teacher, in Library Club, plays, and even in the Catskills one summer. In 1939 she rode in a car with a rumble seat to the World’s Fair in New York City that she attended with a school group.

Another memorable trip was in 1987 when she and Walt celebrated their retirements by traveling to Iceland for three weeks where they visited their grandson Bert.

A family cruise aboard the USS Enterprise in 1994, where her grandson Bert was stationed, is another fond recollection. She is still amazed at standing on deck 90 feet above the ocean while being 100 miles out from shore in the Atlantic Ocean.

To Nellie the best part about being a Town resident is your neighbors and the school system.

She doesn’t feel qualified to give advice. But Nellie Hodge, who has not only nurtured her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren but thousands of impressionable students is an exceptional role model and shining example of how to be an outstanding wife, mother, grandmother, and neighbor.