Donna E. (Nicosia) (Hodgdon) Mullen, age 80, a former longtime resident of Tewksbury, recently of Methuen, passed away at the Cedar View Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center in Methuen with her family at her bedside on Monday, March 16, 2026.
She was the beloved wife of James J. Hodgdon, III, who passed away on November 4, 1967, and the late John J. Mullen, who passed away on March 9, 2009.
Born in Newton on June 9, 1945, she was the daughter of the late Fernando Nicosia and the late Evelyn (Altman) Nicosia.
Donna was raised in South Boston. She attended St. Mary’s Parochial Grammar School and graduated from the former St. Augustine High School.
For many years she assisted the City of Lowell during annual elections as a poll worker. In addition, she volunteered at the Lowell Auditorium and the Merrimack Repertory Theater.
Donna loved to travel. She visited Europe, Hawaii, Israel, Australia, Italy and her favorite Ireland.
Survivors include her two sons, retired Lowell Police Captain, James J. Hodgdon, IV and his wife Kelly, and retired Mass State Police Lieutenant, Sean M. Hodgdon and his wife Kelli. She was the beloved “Nana” to Sean P. Hodgdon and his wife Taylor, Mikayla Difelice and her husband Austin, James J. Hodgdon, V, Devin Hodgdon, Jessica Hodgdon, Kayla Foye, Jaclyn Foye, and James Foye. She was the sister of the late Catherine Teta and aunt of Janet Pray, Christopher Teta, Ginny Teta, and the late Ronald Teta. Special thanks to John LaCorcia, who brought laughter and companionship to our mother in her final years.
Calling hours are Saturday, March 21, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Farmer & Dee Funeral Home, 16 Lee Street, Tewksbury, followed by her Funeral Mass to be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. at St. Robert Bellarmine Church, 198 Haggetts Pond Road, Andover. Services will conclude with interment at St. Mary cemetery, 90 River Road, Tewksbury.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org