Elizabeth Patterson

Elizabeth Galvin’s story started with her parents, Arthur Alexander Galvin and Mrs. Janie Toles Galvin, whose roots trace back to the 1800’s. On July 26, 1910 in Danville, Virginia, Elizabeth Galvin was born. Elizabeth died on June 4, 2004 in Baltimore, Maryland.Elizabeth’s parents instilled in her, their Christian belief and a strong value system. Her father, a Baptist pastor was a firm believer in Jesus Christ, and passed on this spiritually to his children. Life in the Galvin family was filled with love, laughter, spiritual guidance and respect for all people.Elizabeth was reared in Newport New, Virginia, where she graduated from Huntington High School in 1927. Upon graduation, she continued to improve her knowledge base by enrolling in Virginia Union University and graduated in June 1931 with a Bachelor of Arts in history and later a master’s degree in Social Work.Believing education to be one of the hallmarks in life, she continued her education at Case Western Reserve acquiring a second master’s degree in Social Work Administration, graduating in 1955.During her life’s journey, she met and married Charles Benjamin Hodge, Sr., to this union one son, Charles B. Hodges, Jr., was born on January 24, 1938.As a desire to strengthen her commitment to God, she joined St. James Episcopal Church in Baltimore, Maryland, where she served as vice-president of St. Monica’s Guild. Elizabeth also joined many social and civic organizations, namely. Wohozits Social Club, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Virginia Union Alumni Association and M.P. Bridge Club.Elizabeth Galvin Patterson spent twenty-four years in service to the State of Maryland working as a social worker in the Department of Social Work and Mental Health. During her tenure, she attended the position of chief Social Worker. Although she loved to work, she retired in 1976, two years after her second husband, Henry L. “Pat” Patterson passed on August 24, 1974.“Pat” was the love of her life and they enjoyed sharing their time with friends. On a weekly basis they played bridge and enjoyed social hour, creating an atmosphere of fun and festivity.During her later years, the staff and her friends at North Oaks became very important to her. She spent many evenings having dinner and playing bridge with her friends there. After the death of Susie, Raymond her nephew, offered her the opportunity to live in Franklin. The life-laid plan, mapped by Elizabeth and the desire to enforce the bonds of friendship enjoyed for years, was too precious to leave.Elizabeth never allowed illness to incapacitate her. She maintained a close relationship with her daughter-in-law, Joan and reveled at the idea of shopping with her.Besides her parents, her son, Charles B. Hodge, Jr.; siblings, Susie Galvin Johnson Mansfield, Gregory Alexander “Bud” Galvin; her nephews, Morris A. Johnson and Raymond T. H. Johnson, Sr., preceded Elizabeth in death.With fond memories, she leaves her granddaughter, Jill Hodge Goodstein and husband, Arthur Goodstein; one great-grandchild, Miranda Joan; her devoted daughter-in-law, Mrs. Joan Hodge, her goddaughter, Beverly Cooper, her niece, Jane Galvin-Lewis, her great-nieces and nephews, Roselyn A. Johnson, Earl Johnson, Violet Johnson Patterson and husband, Randy O’Quinn Branche, Raymond Johnson, Jr., Charles Johnson, Orpheus Johnson, Raystine D. Johnson, cousins and many other friends.

Tributes

Elizabeth Patterson

July 26, 1910 - June 4, 2004