Katherine HODGES Obituary

My thoughts and love to you Andy, Emily and Tom.
Kate was such a beautiful, friendly, positive and courageous lady. She will be greatly missed by her family and many friends.

Anne Smith
Hanmer Springs

Kate you will never be forgotten my beautiful friend, a breathe of fresh air, so positive and fun to be with. You always amazed me with your friendliness and thoughtfulness to others and you were such a hard worker, always giving your all to whatever you did. I will cherish the times we had together but always wish there had been more. Love to Andy, Emily and Tom.

Sending our deepest sympathies to you Andy, Emily and Tom. Kate was such an amazing person who will be missed by us all.
Love Michelle, Bryan, Amelia and Harry.

My condolences to Andy, Emily, Tom and all of Kate's family. My heart goes out to you.

Rest in peace, dear Kate. I have been deeply moved by your commitment to help other people while fighting your own illness. Life has been to short, as always, but yours has made a difference.

Our love and condolences goes out to Andy and families.
Such a great loss, Kate will be sadly missed.
From the Chapman Clan at North Canterbury.
Once Fox Glacier pilot.

Hello Andy, Emily, Tom and your extended family. Please know that you are very much in our hearts and prayers at this time. We hope that you can take some comfort from the wonderful memories you will have of Kate and the knowledge that she touched the lives of so many people. Thinking of you with love, Anne & Greg

Hello Andy Emily Tom.My thoughts and prayers are with you. You have lost a lovely wife mother. What a brave battle she fought. Be assured she is in a happy place and not too far from you. Love Molly Sullivan

Rest in Peace Kate. Andy you are an amazing person and you will get through this darkness and one day the light will shine once more. Stay strong.

We will miss you very much Kate. A wonderful person and a very valued member of Hanmer Sings Choir. Rest in Peace

What a lovely person and a great mum were my impressions when Kate brought Tom along to/from rugby trainings over several weeks. A kind, loving spirit endures in the memories of those who met Kate, myself and Fran included. Sincere condolences to the Hodges clan. Love Hendo and Fran

Kate, you started something for me in Fox when I came to work for you and Andy. You were welcoming and hilarious and kind and just so easy to be around. I just thought you were the most amazing adult' and could've lived in your garage for ever :-) Luckily for you I didn't, but being witness to the beginning of your beautiful family I'll be grateful for forever. Wrapping presents with you a few Christmas's ago will be a time I'll always remember and I'm so glad we got to spend that time together. So many things I want to say to you but I think you know. I'll carry on sharing my stories and Crowded House references will be frequent. You are simply wonderful Kate so Thankyou x

Kate, you were a beautiful person both inside and out and I feel very blessed to have known you. You will be terribly missed from our wee community, but you can be sure that we will surround your family with all the love and support this village can give.

Dearest Kate, how many times we all laughed together through our student days. Portsmouth threw us all together and now you have left us far too early. Thank goodness for all the wonderful memories we have of your super caring and creative spirit. RIP Kate and our thoughts are with Andy and all the family in this unbelievably difficult time for you. Emily and Tom your fantastic Mum touched so many people who you may not know, you are in our hearts and we are thinking and praying for you both.

Our hearts are aching for you Andy, Emily & Tom. Kate was a loving kind, courageous, brave lady who always had a smile, Kate was a very special lady who we will all miss dearly, we would love to give you all a big hug, sending lots of Love xxxxxx

My thoughts go out to you Andy, Emily and Tom. Kate was an amazing person and i will miss her. I have many memories of fun times shared together in Fox Glacier and when all us girls went to Melbourne, and so many more get-together s.
Kate was always my go to person when it came to motel stuff, especially our booking system.
I am pleased that i got to show you my new motel in Christchurch and had a catch up.
Rest in peace Kate
Love Steph xx

Our hearts are aching for you Andy, Emily & Tom. Kate was a loving, kind, courageous, brave lady who always had a beautiful smile, Kate was a very special lady who we will all miss dearly, we would love to give you all a big hug, sending lots of Love to you

Our deepest sympathy to you Andy, Emily and Tom. We can't imagine the pain you are going through but rest assured that our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Kia Kaha.

Thinking of you Andy, Emily and Tom plus Kates wide spread family at this tough time. We will always remember Kate and her bright smile, positive nature, kind heart and funny English accent. Tom and Emily we will all continue to share stories and memories with you about your wonderful Mum. Such a special person and friend. Big hugs to you all, much love from Kelsey, Mark, Reeve and Addison xxxx

Our hearts go out to you Andy, Emily and Tom - and to Mike, Annie, Lucy, Chris and your families.
We were so fortunate to have so many wonderful memories of Kate and to have shared so many wonderful times together.
We will truly miss Kate's smile and the gorgeous person she always was.
Lots of love and hugs to you all
Lucy, Rob, Charlie, Sam and Sara xxxxx

Andy, Emily and Tom, my thoughts are with you as you say goodbye to Kate. May you have all the strength you need to be able to support each other and remember all the special memories you have. Truly lucky to have known such a down to earth, kind, caring lady. She was always able to look at the positives even when somethings to us werent. Emily and Tom I know she is so proud of you, I always loved hearing how youve got on in the term and what youve been up, let your friends support you and look after you. Im sure she is now the brightest star in the night sky, love to you all, Lisa x

Dear Andy, Ems and Tom, Mike, Annie, Lucy and Chris, (and your families)
We are devastated with the loss of Kate, I can't imagine how you are all feeling, especially with this lock down and not being able to get here. I keep thinking that is is a bad dream and Kate is going to say with her great sense of humour "April Fools everyone!"
Kate was a wonderful friend who always made you feel loved. She alway called her dear friends "my love" and it made us feel special and loved.
Kate was a motivated, intelligent passionate person who always wanted to do her best by her family. She was involved in many areas of the community; our school, swimming and Tennis club and Kate and I made a pretty good kids literature quiz team! ;)

Kate was an amazing person and a loyal friend and I am going to miss her dearly.

God Bless and may He comfort and give you peace in this time of grief.

Leah, Nick, Jenna, Ally, Matthew and Benjamin Hirschfeld

I wish to extend my deepest sympathy to Andy,Tom,Emily and all of dear Kate's Family in the passing of dear Kate.Her strength and love that she shared with her family ,friends and community during her devastating illness has left a huge outpouring of grief to all who knew her.

Our deepest sympathies go to the Hodges family. Kate was such a special person & will be greatly missed by so many. Rest In Peace Kate.

Dear Andy, Emily, Tom and family
You have our deepest, sincerest sympathy.
Kate was always such a positive and kind woman to be around and for that reason she will always be rembered.
I first met Kate and her beautiful children at Hanmer primary school. Eventually we both got puppies and we had the odd play date together. From there a friendship developed. We both discovered that we were vegetarians but Kate confessed that she wasn't the best at sticking to it as had a weakness spot for crunchy fat on bacon etc haha
I will miss you kate and will treasure the kindness you always showed towards me xxx

Love the Arps- Marris family (Hanmer)

Dear Andy, we are thinking of you at this unbelievably tough time. Kate's warmth and kindness were apparent right from the start of our new friendship. It was a privilege to meet her, and I look forward to being part of Tom's life through college.
Thinking of you all.

We were privileged to get to know Kate upon Christine's diagnosis I searched Facebook and found a post about this amazing woman in Hamner Springs in a similar situation, I immediately reached out to Kate and we found a woman with so much empathy and compassion that eased our anxiety in those first few weeks.But it was also her attitude that inspired us to follow in her footsteps to support the Lung Foundation NZ and so the Auckland Chapter of the Lung Busters was formed. Later that year we met in person in Hamner Springs and an enduring friendship was formed. I know Christine found Kate's support invaluable and she will be so sadly missed.
Much love to Andy, Emily and Tom. Rest in peace Kate.
Christine, Brent, Ella and Jack Whitcombe

RIP KATE such a loss of a beautiful soul from our community. An amazing mum and friend. Xx

Deepest sympathy to all your family Kate. Such a genuine kind lady RIP beautiful girl Regards Debbs and Pete Moody

Andy, Emily and Tom I am thinking about you at this really difficult time. I am lucky to have known Kate and count her as a friend. Her sense of humour, quick wit, compassion and intelligence were only part of what made her special. Deepest sympathy to you.

Our sincere condolences to Andy, Emily, and Tom,.
May the messages of love and support for such an amazing lady help you in the days ahead .

Bruce and Jane Butler Australia

We will always remember Kate as the most loving person in the whole of Fox, always smiling, kind and so friendly! She is truly unforgetable and will live in our hearts.
Our deepest sympathy Andy, Emily and Tom. Sending you love, hugs and lots of strenght at this difficult time.

We will always remember Kate as the most loving person in the whole of Fox, always smiling, kind and so friendly! She is truly unforgetable and will live in our hearts.
Our deepest sympathy Andy, Emily and Tom. Sending you love, hugs and lots of strenght at this difficult time.

Andy, Tom and Emily our thoughts are with you. We will always remember the good times we shared together. Kate was an amazing friend and neighbour.
Love Jane, Steve, Flynn and Tom xxx

Dearest Kate, you leave us all with heavy hearts. I will always treasure the time we shared and that you lent me your Emily and Tom for 4 years.

Emily, Tom and Andy, my deepest sympathy. Kate was an insprational person, kind, funny, honest, compassionate and the best mum ever. You are in my thoughts. Aroha nui.

Please accept my heartfelt, sincere condolences.I met Tom when he arrived at HS school..a lovely courteous little boy.I first met Emily at the event in the Hall for Kate..what an amazing little girl.I was always impressed and humbled by Kate's joyful spirit...what an incredibly courageous woman.She has been daily in my prayers and I rejoice that her suffering is over. My heart goes out to the family.

Such heartbreaking news.
A truly beautiful person inside and out.
Wonderful memories of out times together over the years. An inspirational woman.
Sending love to Andy, Emily and Tom. Mike and Annie Brummitt, Lucy , Chris and their families, our thoughts are with you all. Kate and Gus xx

Our heart-felt sympathy Andy, Emily and Tom. Kate was a beautiful and kind person who always had a smile on her face and a great neighbour when we lived next door. Thoughts are with you at this difficult time. Love Elizabeth and Selwyn

Sympathy and love to Kate's family. Kate was amazing support to others she met with lung cancer (my Mum) - we thought she was wonderful. A true sparkly person - with a kind heart.

All of you, Kate, Andy, Em, Tom, all of you have been ever present in our thoughts during these last weeks and will continue to be so.
Courage will get you/us through. Kate showed the way, she was so courageous in the face of it all. I was very lucky that we could meet, walk, talk, share our issues and know that we weren't the only ones struggling with the last journey. Kate will not be forgotten.
Love and best wishes to the 3 of you, see you on the forest paths.

Mere condolences do not seem sufficient with the passing of this wonderful human being. She will be greatly missed by so many. It was a great privilege to have known her and spend time in her company over the years. So many memories. My love to Andy, Emily and Tom and the rest of Kate's family. Thoughts are with you all from all over the world xxx

Our deepest sympathy to Andy and family. Kate was a wee 'ray of sunshine' when we met on the odd visit to Fox. Rest In Peace Kate.

Me te aroha tino nui atu (with deepest sympathy)

We are deeply affected and grieving, because our dear friend, lung cancer patient ambassador, Kate Hodges (50), a devoted wife and mother, died on Wednesday, 1st April, the result of advanced lung cancer. Kate had moved to receive respite care at hospice, the same day as the lock-down and sadly things progressed rapidly. We take some comfort knowing Kate had the love and support of her husband, Andy and their two children, Emily (14) and Tom (12) at her side, when she passed. Given the extraordinary challenges of COVID-19, this is a small blessing.

We want to acknowledge Kate's incredible leadership and support these past four years, as an ambassador for our cause, which has included the amazing support of her family and friends with raising awareness and funds and informing policy. We feel so privileged she was our friend and colleague.

We most admire how Kate, despite her condition, lived a full and unselfish life, ever considerate of her family and other patients in need. Kate was the real life voice for lung cancer patients for almost four years. She had a warm and kind spirit, she was a well informed advocate, having presented at numerous events, including Parliamentary functions, lung cancer petition, represented NZ at the World Lung Cancer Conference (Japan), a regular on various media, assisted development of patient resources. She also established a lung cancer peer support group and was instrumental in organising the first ever patient support forum.

Kate shone a light on the inequities that exist for lung cancer and she set an example for us all to aspire to. She was the absolute best example of courage and integrity. Her qualities are enduring and we are forever grateful.

The trustees and the small team at Lung Foundation New Zealand send our profound sympathy, our love and support to Kate's family.

May She Rest In Peace.

Philip Hope
Chief Executive
Lung Foundation New Zealand Inc.

Andy ,Emily, Tom and extended family it is with a heavy heart I read of the passing of Kate. You will have alot of wonderful memories to cherish.Please accept my deepest sympathy at this very sad time.