Nancy Hutton Hodges, 88, passed away on Tuesday, May 17, 2022 at Salina Regional Health Center. She was born on August 16, 1933 in Lawrence, Kansas to Josephine Jacqmain and Paul Hutton. Her early years were spent on her grandfather Octave Jacqmain’s farm outside Fort Smith, Arkansas with her younger sister Jane.
Nancy graduated from Lawrence High School and the University of Kansas, where she competed in several varsity sports, winning the Hill Badminton Championship four straight years. She married Merle Alvadore Hodges in 1954 and they spent their early married life in Mobile, Alabama during his time in the USAF.
A Salina resident since 1966, Nancy was an active community volunteer, serving on many different boards and commissions. She was one of the founding members of Salina’s first daycare center, now the Salina Child Care Association; led the Saline County Humane Association and advocated for Salina’s first animal control ordinance; was an active member of the Saline County Democrats; and was appointed by former President Jimmy Carter to lead the state’s White House Conference on Families Year of the Child initiative. She was also a Sunday School teacher and Vestry member at Christ Cathedral; a competitive tennis player and USTA coach; a 2011 Women of Achievement honoree; a USD305 substitute teacher; and a longtime co-host of KSAL’s Friendly Fire.
Nancy was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 64 years, Merle A. Hodges; sister Jane Hutton Stievater and brother-in-law Robert; and daughter Dr. Melissa Ann Hodges. She is survived by her son Dr. Boo Hodges (Melissa Rose); granddaughter Elizabeth (Nicole) grandsons Matthew; Ted (Taylor); and Grant (Jillian); great-grandchildren Gage, Kai, Laiklyn, Eleanor and James; and her beloved pets.
A private graveside service will be held.