Bertha May Hodge

 Bertha May Hodge, 84, passed away peacefully on March 31, 2025, at Samaritan Keep Home, surrounded by her beloved family.

Born on May 7, 1940, in Alexandria Bay, New York, to the late Ernest and Bernice (Cromwell) Morrow, Bertha lived a life defined by kindness, generosity, and unwavering devotion to those she loved. She was educated in Alexandria Bay schools, but her greatest calling was caring for others. Whether it was her own children, her grandchildren, or the many little ones she looked after throughout her life, Bertha’s greatest joy came from being a nurturer. She had a special way of making everyone feel safe, loved, and valued.

In 1958, Bertha married Frederick O. Gonseth, with whom she had six children, two of whom she heartbreakingly lost in infancy. Though life brought changes, including her divorce in 1977, she found love again with Gerald Beard, whom she married in 1979 until his passing in 1985. In 1986, she married Walter Hodge, with whom she shared many happy years until his passing in 2004.

Bertha was the heart of her family, always putting the needs of others before her own. She never hesitated to offer a helping hand, a warm meal, or a shoulder to cry on. Her home was a sanctuary where everyone was welcome—whether you needed a place to stay, a listening ear, or just a comforting presence, Bertha was always there with open arms.

She is survived by her loving children: Bruce (Joelie) Gonseth of Ocala, FL; Brian (Val) Gonseth of Watertown; Timothy Gonseth of Calcium; and Tammy (Bill) Delaney of Brooksville, FL.

 Bertha adored her grandchildren and showered them with unconditional love: Bruce Allen Jr. (Ashbee) Gonseth of Crawfordville, FL; Kendra Gonseth of Orange Park, FL; Traci Hayslip of Crawfordville, FL; Erica Macaulay Thomas(Jed her companion) of Watertown; Shawna (Rahul) Dudhani of Syracuse; Brianne (Logan) Patenaude of Syracuse; JoAnna (Brandon her companion) of Omaha, NE; Kyle (Claire) Delaney of Dexter; Nicole (Adam) Delaney/Burns of Virginia Beach, VA; Nicole Peer ( fiancé, Curtis Bisbort) of Henderson Harbor; Jason (Kate) Peer of Watertown; Jennifer Hodge of Watertown, Jessica Hodge of FL; Christopher Hodge of Watertown; Courtney McIntosh of Sackets Harbor; Benjamin McIntosh of VA; and Eric McIntosh of Watertown.

Her love extended even further to her great-grandchildren: Olivia, Stevie, Maya, Meera, Malcolm, Landon, Shea, Britton, Bricen, Molly, Oliver, Adelyne, Amelia, Lillian, Audrey, Anna, Ella, Bailey, Braxton, Sydnee, Jeremiah, Harley, Christopher, and Kailey. Each one held a special place in her heart, and she cherished every moment she spent with them.

Her siblings: Toby (Donna) Morrow of Pillar Point, Richard (Sheila) Morrow of LaFargeville, Gerald Morrow of Lowville and Patricia (John) Phelps of Watertown. Bert is survived by many beloved nieces and nephews, each of whom held a special place in her heart.

She is also survived by her stepchildren, whom she cared for as her own: Judy Peer; Robert (Bruni) Hodge of Watertown; Louise (Todd) Farrington of Adams Center; Debbie Reynolds of Watertown; James Beard of New Jersey; and Dawn Beard.

She is predeceased by her parents; her husbands, Frederick Gonseth, Gerald Beard and Walter Hodge; two sons, Phillip and Tracey; and her siblings and their spouses; Donald Morrow, Douglas (Jean) Morrow, Robert Morrow, William Morrow, Gary Morrow, Shirley (Jim) Bacon and Evelyn (Ed) Hughes.

Bertha had a zest for life! She enjoyed journaling her memories, reminiscing about old times, and sharing laughter with those around her. She had a deep love for traveling, and her adventurous spirit led her to explore places like Alaska, Las Vegas, Arizona, Florida, South Carolina, and Virginia. When not traveling, she loved to go dancing with her husband Walt.

Despite her fear of thunderstorms, Bertha had a way of turning fear into love, always inviting her grandchildren to stay with her when the skies turned dark—perhaps just another excuse to steal a little extra time with them. She let them set up “salons” to style her hair, paint her nails, and give her makeovers, always embracing their creativity with laughter and patience.
Her lifelong friend, Anne, was her kindred spirit, and together, they created countless cherished memories. Bertha also treasured her sisters, Pat, Eve, and Shirley, and the card games, conversations, and moments of shared joy they spent together.

Bertha’s kindness, warmth, and selflessness touched the lives of so many. She was a mother, a grandmother, a sister, a friend, and a guiding light to all who knew her. Though she will be deeply missed here on earth, she is undoubtedly being welcomed into heaven with open arms by those who have gone before her.
A heartfelt thank you to the caregivers and friends at Summit Village and Samaritan Keep Home, who provided her with comfort and companionship in her final years, and to the loved ones who surrounded her with love in her last moments.

Bert was a Lifetime member of the Brownville American Legion Auxiliary Post 101 and the Calcium Fire Department Auxiliary.

Calling hours will be held on Friday, April 11, 2025, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Johnson Funeral Home, Dexter, with a funeral service to follow at 4 p.m. A spring burial will take place in Dexter Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bert’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association, 5015 Campuswood Drive Suite 102 East Syracuse, New York 13057.

Online condolences may be shared at www.dexterfuneralhome.com.

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