BANGOR – Gladys Hodgdon Jeffrey, 107, died Monday, March 2, 2009, at a Bangor nursing home. She was born May 22, 1901, in Boston, “under the Bunker Hill Monument,” the oldest child of Elza Edward and Lucy Mabel (Smith) Hodgdon. She grew up in Medfield, Mass. As a teenager, she took time off from high school during World War I to work in a company that made bandages for the war effort. In 1919, she went to live with relatives in Springfield, Vt., and graduated from Springfield High School in 1921. She was married Feb. 1, 1922, to Walter H. Jeffrey of Chester, Vt. From 1931 to 1941, Walter’s job with the Vermont State Motor Vehicle Department moved them to Essex Junction, Burlington and Newport, Vt. From time to time, Gladys took care of children in her home. After returning to Chester, Vt., Gladys worked at Rexall Drug Store, Chester, Vt., for many years and later worked as cashier at Ellsworth Medical Group, Chester, Vt., and cashier at Springfield Hospital, Springfield, Vt. She had a lovely soprano voice and loved to sing and solo in the Baptist Church Choir, Chester, Vt. All of her siblings lived well into their 90s. She is survived by her daughter-in-law, Patricia W. Jeffrey of Hampden; two grandsons, Michael A. Jeffrey and wife, Alayna, of Bangor and David W. Jeffrey of Orrington; five great-grandchildren, Jay, Ryan, Clara, Benjamin and Kyle; several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Walter; her only son, Wallace “Bud” Jeffrey; grandson, Jay W. Jeffrey; two sisters, Dorothy Bosselman and Alma Dawson; and a brother, Everett Hodgdon. Remembrances may be made in her name to First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 187, Chester, VT 05143. At her request, a graveside service will be held in the spring in Chester, Vt. Adams & Kenney Funeral Home, Chester, Vt., assisted the family with the arrangements.
GLADYS HODGDON JEFFREY
