Elza Theard Hodgson

Elza Theard Hodgson passed away peacefully on November 2nd 2018, in Decatur, GA. She was born on March 29, 1932, in Les Cayes, Haiti, to Lyvie and Aurele Theard.

She graduated from the Ecole Normal Superieure d’Haiti, in 1953, with a degree in Education. She also attended graduate courses in foreign language education at the University of Michigan and at the University of Havana. After returning to Haiti, she married Edouard Hodgson in 1961, and they had 3 children. She had a long and happy career, teaching English, French and Spanish to non-native speakers. She taught for many years at the Institut Haitano-Americain, the Goshen College study abroad program in Haiti, and at the Ecole Hoteliere d’Haiti from where she retired. After surviving the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, she joined her daughter in the Atlanta area. She particularly enjoyed the time that she got to spend with her grandchildren in the past few years. She loved to travel, loved to learn and teach languages, loved music, dancing, and loved her family.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Edouard Hodgson; her brothers Clausel Theard and Jean Theard. She is survived by her children Will Hodgson of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Maureen Hodgson (Chris Brinson) of Decatur, GA, and Edouard Fitzgerald Hodgson of Scottdale, GA; her grandchildren Andrea Brinson and Nicholas Brinson; her sister-in-law Mrs. Geralde Theard; her nieces and nephews; and numerous cousins.

Funeral mass will be held on Tuesday November 6th, at 10 am, at St. Thomas More of Decatur.