Obituary for Theodora May Hokanson (Churchill)
Theodora May Hokanson (nee: Churchill), 98, our beloved mother, of Duluth, Georgia, formerly of Roselle Park, New Jersey passed away peacefully on December 30, 2023, surrounded by her loving family.
A celebration of life will be on Saturday, June 22, 2024, in the Mastapeter Funeral Home, 400 Faitoute Ave., Roselle Park from 1 to 3pm.
Mom was born in Cardiff Wales (one of five) on June 23, 1925. She was just 15 when WWII broke out in Britain and often shared stories of what it was like growing up amidst the war. Her beloved city of Cardiff was bombed when she was just 16 and she constantly lived in fear of the German air raids, many times having to run for shelter while on her way to and from school. Air raids became a persistent threat and very much a part of everyday life. She also spoke of ration books and coupons that were used to obtain basic foodstuffs while waiting in long lines to get what was needed. As she older, mom decided to do what she could to help the war effort and she became a riveter helping to keep the war planes flying.
In the Spring of 1945, a blind date with an American soldier led to her marriage to our father, Clarence A Hokanson. She emigrated to the United States, eventually settling in Roselle Park, NJ, where they raised a family of six! May attended countless PTA meetings and signed too many report cards to remember. She was one of the longest members of the Sherman School PTA.
Mom was a loving and caring grandmother, great grandmother, and great, great grandmother. She was also an active member of the Cosmopolitans, a social group of war brides and was even crowned Queen of the war brides in 1962. In 1991, as Desert Storm took U. S. soldiers into combat she worked tirelessly with another Roselle Park resident, Jake Mageria, tying yellow ribbons around anything that didn’t move as a tribute to the men and women overseas and a reminder to all of us to pray for their safe return. She also worked as a caregiver helping those who could no longer care for themselves, giving their families peace of mind knowing that their loved ones were in a loving environment and will cared for when they couldn’t be with them. After losing her husband in 1995, mom sold the house in Roselle Park and relocated to Florida to love with a widowed lifelong friend who herself, was a war bride. When her friend passed away, she relocated once again to Duluth, Georgia where she continued to live with three of her daughters.
May was predeceased by her husband Clarence, a daughter Tina Hokanson Wielgus and her great grandson Michael J Wielgus II. Surviving are Carl Hokanson and his wife Anita, Jackie Hokanson and her wife Joan, Linda Hokanson, Karyn Hokanson and Sheryl Hokanson, 10 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and 2 great, great grandsons.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to your local Salvation Army in Theodora May Hokanson’s name.
A celebration of life will be on Saturday, June 22, 2024, in the Mastapeter Funeral Home, 400 Faitoute Ave., Roselle Park from 1 to 3pm.
Mom was born in Cardiff Wales (one of five) on June 23, 1925. She was just 15 when WWII broke out in Britain and often shared stories of what it was like growing up amidst the war. Her beloved city of Cardiff was bombed when she was just 16 and she constantly lived in fear of the German air raids, many times having to run for shelter while on her way to and from school. Air raids became a persistent threat and very much a part of everyday life. She also spoke of ration books and coupons that were used to obtain basic foodstuffs while waiting in long lines to get what was needed. As she older, mom decided to do what she could to help the war effort and she became a riveter helping to keep the war planes flying.
In the Spring of 1945, a blind date with an American soldier led to her marriage to our father, Clarence A Hokanson. She emigrated to the United States, eventually settling in Roselle Park, NJ, where they raised a family of six! May attended countless PTA meetings and signed too many report cards to remember. She was one of the longest members of the Sherman School PTA.
Mom was a loving and caring grandmother, great grandmother, and great, great grandmother. She was also an active member of the Cosmopolitans, a social group of war brides and was even crowned Queen of the war brides in 1962. In 1991, as Desert Storm took U. S. soldiers into combat she worked tirelessly with another Roselle Park resident, Jake Mageria, tying yellow ribbons around anything that didn’t move as a tribute to the men and women overseas and a reminder to all of us to pray for their safe return. She also worked as a caregiver helping those who could no longer care for themselves, giving their families peace of mind knowing that their loved ones were in a loving environment and will cared for when they couldn’t be with them. After losing her husband in 1995, mom sold the house in Roselle Park and relocated to Florida to love with a widowed lifelong friend who herself, was a war bride. When her friend passed away, she relocated once again to Duluth, Georgia where she continued to live with three of her daughters.
May was predeceased by her husband Clarence, a daughter Tina Hokanson Wielgus and her great grandson Michael J Wielgus II. Surviving are Carl Hokanson and his wife Anita, Jackie Hokanson and her wife Joan, Linda Hokanson, Karyn Hokanson and Sheryl Hokanson, 10 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and 2 great, great grandsons.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to your local Salvation Army in Theodora May Hokanson’s name.