Harriet Wadle Hodges

Harriet Wadle Hodges of West Milford died at home on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2014. She was 85.

Harriet married the late Albert V. Hodges, Jr., in 1952 and they raised five children: Wendy Renfer of West Hempfield, Pa., Alan Hodges of Brooklyn, N.Y., Laura Hodges of Woodland Park, Cheryl Reed of Vernon, and Vicki Reilly of West Chester, Pa. Harriet leaves 10 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and a longtime caregiver and friend, Krzysztof Chmielewski.

She belonged to St. Joseph's RC Church. Harriet earned a bachelor's degree in elementary and special education in 1950 from Kean University (Newark State Teachers College). In 1960, she pioneered the special education program in the West Milford School District, retiring in 1993.

Her memorial gathering will be at Richards Funeral Home, West Milford on Friday, Feb. 7, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m., with Mass on Saturday, Feb. 8, at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph's Church, West Milford.

In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund or the Fisher House Foundation are requested.