Rose D. Hodge, 87, died peacefully in the morning on Sunday, June 9, 2024. She spent her life loving her family, students, musicals, and perpetually learning.
Rose was born July 26, 1936 in Potsdam, NY, the daughter of Greek immigrants Thomas and Sultana Dokianos. She graduated from Potsdam High School in 1954, and then onward to Ithaca College. Later in life she went back to college at SUNY Potsdam, graduating with honors, and continued forward getting her MA in Education. She had a career of teaching for more than thirty years. In her last act as teacher, she established herself as head of the English Department and took on Humanities while enriching anyone who stepped through her door.
Not only was she a long time resident of Canton, NY, and Potsdam, she called Rochester her home since 2006. If you knew her, you knew how involved she was in musical theater; out of her many productions, she was best known for portraying Dolly Levi in the musical “Hello, Dolly!.” Rose would pitch in on costume design, provide props, and directed several shows, one of her favorites being “Fiddler on the Roof.” Her love for theater followed her around throughout life, from the plays on her bookshelves to the showtunes she would hum.
Rose is survived by her children Kathy Holcomb Gresko of Rochester and Kirk Holcomb of Georgia, and her three grandchildren, Erin and Ethan Gresko, and Shannon Holcomb. She is also survived by three nieces, Donna, Diana, and Deborah, and one nephew, Christopher, all residing in California.
She was predeceased by her parents and her sister, Anna.
A church service will be held celebrating her life on June 29 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Thomas Episcopal Church on the corner of Highland Avenue and Winton Road. There will be no previous calling hours and interment will be private for the family.
Contributions can be made in her name to the music program at St. Thomas Episcopal Church.
We’d like to thank the staff at Highland Hospital and all the nurses and therapists who so generously cared for her since February.
Kathy,
As you mourn the loss of a very special mother, may you find strength in all of your wonderful memories together. Her caring nature and her warm spirit will live on in you always. Although we never knew your mother well, we have fond memories of having lunch with you, Craig and Rose several times when we visited Craig in Rochester.
Please accept our condolences for the loss of your mother. Our thoughts are with you and your family at this difficult time. May faith, family and friends bring you peace.
With Deepest Sympathy
Gwen & Theo