Patricia "Pattie" Rozalie Druzbanski Hodges was born on October 11, 1944 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and died on March 2, 2024 in Burke, Virginia, after a 16-month journey with ovarian cancer. She was surrounded by her family who kept vigil as she passed in peace.

Pattie grew up in the Frankford neighborhood of Philadelphia with her parents, Theodore and Ella "Mickey" (Leister) Druzbanski, and her treasured dog Skippie. When Pattie's father was serving in the US Navy during World War II, Pattie and her mother shared a home with several aunts and cousins to offer each other support during the war. This sense of community, family, and hospitality she experienced as a child is something she carried with her throughout her 79 years.

She was a member of the Class of 1962 at Frankford High School. It was during her high school years that Pattie met her beloved, Thomas J. Hodges, with whom she shared a beautiful love story spanning six decades. Pattie and Tom were married on April 24, 1965. An only child, Pattie was thrilled to be the matriarch of a big family, raising six children, loving fourteen grandchildren, and nurturing many of her children's friends who affectionately called her "mom." She was a fixture in her children's schools and activities from volunteering in the school library and with the PTA at John Hancock Demonstration School in Philadelphia to serving on the Lake Braddock Band Boosters for ten years in Virginia. Pattie and Tom spent their retirement years traveling to see their children and grandchildren doing what they love. From visits to Disney World to gymnastic meets, musical and theatrical performances, and graduations…if her children and grandchildren were doing something special, she and Tom were there.

Pattie was a do-er, a servant, an encourager, and a giver. She volunteered countless hours of her life, starting in her teenage years, to The Salvation Army in Philadelphia and in Fairfax, Virginia. For many years she was a staple for the Angel Tree program at Christmas—cheerfully greeting clients, hand-writing thousands of Angel's wishes on ornaments for the tree, and distributing gifts to families in need. She was also active as a Sunday School teacher and a coach for a Bible Trivia team; she treasured God's word throughout her life. She was a model of Christian love to the many friends and family members she welcomed into the family home for meals and special occasions. She loved having her home filled with laughter and love. Pattie was an avid letter writer and card sender, a practice she started early in life and continued right up until her death.

Pattie worked as an information operator for Bell of Pennsylvania after high school; shortly after the family moved to Burke in 1988, she became the cafeteria hostess (aka lunch lady) at Cherry Run Elementary School where she worked for over a decade. However, her main focus in life was the love and care of her beautiful, boisterous family. This family was her treasure and is her legacy.

Pattie is survived by her loving husband, Tom, who so tenderly cared for her during her journey with cancer; her six children, Donna (Erik) Reinhard, Thomas (Alison) Hodges Jr, Arlene (Marlin Hoffman) Hodges, Kevin (Rosetta) Hodges, Cheryl (Thomas) Bratten, and David (Gina) Hodges; her fourteen grandchildren; and her cousins, in-laws, and numerous nieces and nephews. She will be missed greatly by all.

The family will hold a visitation on Friday, March 8 beginning at 9:00AM at the Burns Funeral Home 9708 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, followed by her Funeral Service 10:00 AM.  Interment will  be held at  Forest Hills Cemetery Byberry Road and Philmont Avenue. The family will also hold a Celebration of Life on Saturday, March 9 at 10:30AM at The Salvation Army Fairfax Corps 4915 Ox Road, Fairfax, VA.

As an expression of sympathy, memorial donations to Inova Schar Cancer Institute at join.inova.org/cancerservices are appreciated.