Marion "Susie" (Eisenberg) Hodes

WORCESTER - Marion Selma “Susie” (Eisenberg) Hodes died on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, in Worcester, Massachusetts. She suffered from Alzheimer’s Disease for many years.

Susie grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and respected and loved her parents, Adolph and Mollie Eisenberg, and adored her brother, Norman. She experienced a robust extended family life and had a close connection with her cousins, particularly Mitchell Cohen. As a young girl, she enjoyed reading, taking ballet classes, developing a love of classical music, and visiting her father at his pharmacy. She had beautiful long red hair and freckles.

It was in Philadelphia where Susie met Sidney Robert Hodes, whom she would be married to for 61 years. They met when Sidney was a student at the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, and she was a student at Albert Einstein Medical Center School of Nursing. They were married in 1959. They moved to Worcester when Sidney joined the family business, Hodes Food City, a supermarket chain in Massachusetts.

Susie was a lifelong “do-er.” She helped found Rachel’s Table, a food rescue and distribution service. She volunteered with, took leadership roles in, and supported numerous organizations some of which include the Dysautonomia Foundation, the former Temple Sinai (now known as Temple Emanuel Sinai), Congregation Beth Israel, Jewish Community Center, Jewish Federation of Central Massachusetts, the Jewish Healthcare Center, Jewish Family Service, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and Tanglewood in Stockbridge..

Susie demonstrated an uncanny recall and knowledge of music. She could identify a piece of music from hearing a couple of notes and know not only the piece, but the movement, and share a bit of the history behind the music or the artist. She might even tell you where she was sitting in Tanglewood or Symphony Hall the last time she heard it. She began playing piano from a young age and engendered a love for the arts in her children. She made sure that while her children were enjoying the typical sports and clubs found in youth, that she would also routinely take them to museums, galleries, concert halls, and ballets. Most importantly, both Susie and Sidney encouraged them to read as a way to promote critical thinking skills.

Both Susie and Sidney shared a love of nature and were avid walkers, especially when in the Berkshires. While Sidney would walk at a fast pace, point out a hawk, regale you with a story from his Worcester Academy, fencing, rowing, or fraternity days, and talk about the thick book he was reading, Susie walked at a snail’s pace because she wanted to point out the flowers. In addition to music, Susie demonstrated an impressive depth of knowledge about flowers and enjoyed arranging and cooking with them. She put them in her frittatas and on pats of butter. She so enjoyed entertaining and went to great lengths to find the freshest ingredients and to set a fine table for her family and friends.

Susie leaves behind many people who loved her. Susie’s family includes her son, Michael W. Hodes and his wife Marilyn of New York City; her daughter, Alida “Ally” Hodes-Gallin and her husband, Tom of New Rochelle, NY; grandchildren, Jared Hodes and his wife, Mint; Sarah Hodes; Jake Gallin; her sisters-in-law, Ceril Fish of Worcester, and Harriet Eisenberg of Israel, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was predeceased by her son, Jeffrey B. Hodes. Sidney passed away in 2020 at age 82.

Susie’s community will gather to honor her memory at a Graveside Funeral Service at 9:00 AM on Tuesday, May 28th at B’nai Brith Cemetery, 55 St. John’s Road, Worcester. Arrangements are under the care of Miles Funeral Home of Holden.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Jewish Federation of Central Massachusetts, 633 Salisbury Street, Worcester, MA 01609; Congregation Beth Israel, 15 Jamesbury Drive, Worcester, MA 01609; Rachel’s Table, 633 Salisbury Street, Worcester, MA 01609 or to a charity of the donor’s choice.