LYLA LORRAINE HODGE

Lyla Hodge, 77, of Devlin, Ont., passed away at La Verendrye General Hospital in Fort Frances, Ont. on Friday, July 2, 1999 with her family by her side.
Lyla was born July 16, 1921 in Emo, Ont. to the late Cecil and Aileen Grant.
For many years, she lived in Kingsford Township, and was united in marriage to Gerald Armstrong. Later, they started a business, Northwest Bay Trading Post and the outpost, Camp Narrows, on Rainy Lake.
Gerald tragically predeceased her and her three children in 1953.
Lyla then was united in marriage April 3, 1957 to Joseph Hodge, who joined her in operating the existing camps while he continued his mining expeditions. They moved into their retirement home in 1987 just four miles from the lake.
Lyla was an associate member of the Guthrie United Church in Devlin, as well as of the Northern Ontario Tourism Outfitters, not to mention an avid friend and grandparent.
Joe and Lyla enjoyed to travel when their health allowed. She entertained people in her home her whole life.
Lyla is survived by her husband, Joe of Devlin, Ont.; four children, Carole (Bill) McLean of Devlin, and their family, Sherry, Tammy, Cindy, Todd, and Holly; Erwin (Beatty) Armstrong of Fort Frances, and their daughters, Charmaine and Anissa; Donald Armstrong of Fort Frances, and his sons, Wade, Bob, and Scott and their mother, Judy; and Garry Hodge of Victoria, B.C.
Also surviving are two sisters, Viva Cummings of Leduc, Alta. and family, and Marvel (Eugene) Bullied of Emo and family; 12 great-grandchildren, Doug, Maverick, and Luke Judson, Matthew Armstrong, Rebecca and Ryan Witherspoon, Kelsey and Tyson McLean, Zachary and Justin Stevenson, and Alison and Katie Marchand; brothers-in-law, Harry (June) Hodgson of Toronto, and George Armstrong of Fort Frances; sisters-in-law, Laura Worthington of Montreal, Laura Wright of Atikokan, Eve (Sid) Ross of Fort Frances, and Doreen Coats of Victoria, B.C.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Lyla was predeceased by one brother, Arlo “Bud” Grant; “Papa” Henry Judson; one great-grandchild, Chancellor Witherspoon; close elderly friend, Harry Blake; three sisters-in-law, Mary Halley, Rita Colpitts, and Sister Mary Edward Hodge; and five brothers-in-law, Ted, Jack, Bill, and Mike Hodge, and Vernon Armstrong.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, July 6, 1999 at 1 p.m. at Green Funeral Home in Fort Frances. Patrick Playfair officiated, with interment at the Devlin Cemetery.
Friends visited Monday, July 5, 1999 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Green Funeral Home.
Pallbearers were Wade Armstrong, Bob Armstrong, Scott Armstrong, Todd McLean, Murray Witherspoon, JB Marchand, Paul Stevenson, John Fraser, and Morris Judson.
Lyla’s wish would be that all her friends be honourary pallbearers.
In memoriam donations may be made to either Riverside Foundation for Health Care, 110 Victoria Ave., Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 2B7 or to the charity of choice.