Narcissa G. Hodges
..."Mill Girl" and later Tewksbury Hospital dietary staff; 96
TEWKSBURY - Narcissa G. "Cheeza" (Fantini) Hodges, age 96, a lifelong resident of Tewksbury, and a member of a large well known family, died peacefully, Wednesday morning, December 8. Remarkably, she had remained independent and in her home until a few weeks ago. She was the beloved wife for 64 years of Clarence W. Hodges, who died in January 2010.
She was born in Haverhill, on October 23, 1914 one of eight children of Frank and Dora (Bibbiani) Fantini. She was raised on Fantini's farm on Marston Street. In her earliest years she worked as a "Mill Girl" in the Lowell textile mills as a weaver. Her conversations about her experiences were the basis of a chapter in the book "The Last Generation," written about the mill girls of Lowell. A video interview with her and her sisters is currently featured in the Boot Mill textile museum in Lowell. She later worked, and retired, as a dietary aid, cook and supervisor at Tewksbury Hospital. She enjoyed cooking, reading and discussing politics, as well as doting on her granddaughters.
She is survived by two children, Gary U. Hodges and his wife Susan (Spofford) Hodges, and C. Gail Hodges all of Tewksbury; two sisters, Celia Thing of Tewksbury and Florence Ayer of VT; four granddaughters; many great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was also sister of the late Ted Fantini, George Fantini, Dorothy Gallant, Francescia Fantini, and Caroline Secchiaroli. Her Funeral Service were held Saturday, Dec. 11, followed by her burial in Tewksbury Cemetery.