Lozano's Flagstaff Mortuary ~ est. 2006 Flagstaff Mortuary ~ est. 1956
Rita C. Alexander Hodgins, died on October 1, 2009 after courageously facing pancreatic cancer. She was born in Cleveland, Ohio on January 21, 1948. Her family moved to Scottsdale, AZ in 1962 where Rita graduated from Scottsdale High School in 1966. She was a young stateside newlywed mother-to-be during the Vietnam War. And later earned two degrees from Arizona State University – a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Fine Arts in Multicultural Studies. She moved to Flagstaff in the late 1970’s, taught painting at Coconino Community College and was a long time art educator. Rita’s own fine art was in mixed media and she was a profilic had colorist. She was also a self-employed entrepeneur wholesaling Indian arts and was a past president of the Indian Arts and Crafts Association. Prior to her illness, she was employed by the Navajo-Hopi Observer as and advertising director, and most recently she served on the staff of the Museum of Northern Arizona as an Indian arts buyer and retail manager. During her cancer treatments, she worked writing resumes and cover letters for professionals affected by recent economic downsizing. She was also a speaker, journalist, a paralegal and marriage minister. Life long learning was her mantra. She was passionate about art, history, archeology, Native peoples, and she loved animals. Her parents Clara and Alex Rebik, her mother in law Mary Hodgins, her maternal grandparents Emily and Fred Kutschinski and paternal grandparents Fevronia and William Rebik, preceded Rita in death. She is survived by her devoted husband and best friend L. Bruce Hodgins of Flagstaff, father in law Wellesley Hodgins of Farmington, NM, daughter and son in law Holly Ann and Dan Walker of Glendale, AZ, sister and brother in lawAlexa and Brad Hokanson of Fallbrook, CA, and twin grandchildren Noël Walker and Alexander Walker of Glendale. In addtion, there are many other beloved friends and colleagues from all walks of Rita’s life. A memorial serivce will be held on Monday October 26, 2009 at 1:00 pm at Lozano’s Flagstaff Mortuary, 2545 N. Fourth Street, per Rita’s request, if you plan to attend the memorial service, please do not wear black. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Northland Hospice, PO Box 997, Flagstaff, AZ 86002
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