One of Anguilla’s foremost women, Mrs. Olive Hodge, a recipient of a Badge of Honour and a Queen’s Certificate for her significant role in the island’s 1967 revolution, and an MBE award from Queen Elizabeth for community service, has achieved a milestone in her life. Still remarkably beautiful, and not showing her age, she celebrated her 70th birthday on Sunday, March 8, with a special service at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church a day ahead of her actual birth date on Monday, March 9.

Mrs. Hodge’s children, grandchildren and in-laws

The revolutionary days far behind her, she is an active contributor to the community in which she operates the family’s Anguilla Drugstore and is a member of the Soroptimist Club of Anguilla, having served in other civil society groups over the years.

Mrs. Hodge, a very pleasant and ongoing personality, is the widow of the late Walter G. Hodge, a prime leader in the Anguilla Revolution, who served as Chairman of the Peacekeeping Committee and Treasurer in the early days of Anguilla’s bid for separation from St. Kitts-Nevis where, in earlier years, he was Anguilla’s Elected Representative in the Legislature.
Olive, as she likes to be called, and her husband, produced six children: Kennedy, Gareth, Ethne, Timothy, Bennie and Diane who, along with their own children, planned the special service and reception for their mother, grandmother and great grandmother.

Government Officials and others at Birthday Service

The service was conducted by Assistant Parish Priest, Reverend Menes Hodge, who commended the children for honouring their mother and spoke highly of her. In attendance were a large number of family members and friends including Chief Minister Osbourne Fleming, Minister of Finance, Victor Banks, former Chief Minister Sir Emile and Lady Gumbs and Anguilla’s eminent legal scholar Dame Bernice Lake, QC.

Family and friends at the Birthday Service

What may have been a most heart-warming experience for her was that her second son, Pastor Gareth of the recently-established Destiny Church, delivered the homily in which he said the occasion was a celebration of life. “We thank God that she has reached her allotted years [of three score and ten] and anything beyond this is by reason of her strength,” he said, referring to the Biblical pronouncement. He also said, with reference again to the Bible, that her children stood like “Olive plants” around her and, quoting from the Book of Proverbs, he stated with a measure of loyalty and love: “Her children rise up and call her blessed.”

Mrs. Olive Hodge, MBE

The above quotations from the Bible were the highlights on which Gareth based his delivery in praise of his mother, followed in turn by further glowing tributes to her by his five siblings, much to the admiration of those in attendance. They also took the opportunity to reflect on the difficult days in which they were brought up and were grateful for the parental love and support that made them into the successful and well-rounded young men and young women they are today.

Mrs. Joan Hodge presenting bouquet to Mrs. Hodge

The special service was spiced by some beautiful singing by Olive’s children and grandchildren among whom was her granddaughter, Sixth Form student, Natalie, who starred in a series of moving solos. The congregation brought up the rear with some lusty singing as well, ending the service of thanksgiving and blessing. It was followed by a reception at the nearby residence of her Olive’s son Timothy and his family.

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