On May 22, 1925, Patricia Hodges was born in London, England, the only child of William and Elsie Campell Swayze. February 19, 2026, at 100 years, nine months, she passed away peacefully with lovinglfamily present. As a girl, she went to Lord Mayor of London’s Masquerade Ball. Her family saw the procession from Westminster to Buckingham palace of King George VI on May 12, 1937. She grew up in the Crouch End of London and was home schooled until eight years. Patricia rode ponies in Clovelly and elephant rides at the London Zoo. Her family roots were the Linzells of Tottenham. Her great uncle Frank built apartments across from Harrods Department Store and its 22 restaurants.
Just before World War II, her family moved to Worcester, west of London. She met Mrs. Perrins, known for Worcestershire sauce. Patricia attended Alice Otley girl’s school and graduated in domestic science. She had a Scotch terrier, Bobby, and black cat, Timmy. Patricia enjoyed swimming, tennis, horseback riding, her three-speed Raleigh bike and a scooter. Family vacations were enjoyed at Bournemouth by the seaside.
During WWII, a G.I., David Hodges from Seymour, Tennessee, was brought home for a meal and met Patricia. Engaged, she emigrated with her parents to America, November 1947, on the Queen Mary. They strolled on the deck past Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson during a merchant marine strike.
They lived in Tennessee, then moved to Charleston, West Virginia, where they married on April 10, 1948. She worked at the library, then a job change brought them to Toledo. Patricia graduated from Davis Business College in an executive secretarial course. She worked at MeKesson’s Ashland Avenue, then for Chassis Engineer at Willy’s Motors. Patricia became a U.S. citizen in 1951. Her daughter, Jennifer, was born and she was active at First Congregational Church, PTA and Mother’s Club at Glenwood. After her second daughter, Julie, was born, she became a Brownie Troop assistant leader. Grocery shopping at Big Bear, Colony and Schorlings. Lunches at Smith’s cafeteria, Smith’s Spitzer Arcade, Toddle House, Bud and Luke’s, and Link’s. Shopping at Lion, Lasalles and Lamson’s.
Her family move to Perrysburg on September 7, 1965. Within the year of 1966, David passed away, there were sesquicentennial activities and she purchased a Coronet 440 from Gingrich Bros Dodge. Patricia was a room mother at Elm Street School and later was a Bowling Green State University mom. She incorporated her dad’s vegetables from his garden into her great cooking.
In June 1975, Patricia chaperoned Julie’s Girl Scout troop to Europe, camping and seeing nine countries. August 1988, Jennifer married Bradley Mettert and then she was very involved with her grandchildren, David, Daniel and Emily. In March 1997, Julie married Tim Seeley in Akron.
She enjoyed special occasions like her 90th birthday at the Holiday Inn French Quarter, her grandkids’ college graduations and the wedding of David to Ashley (Sadlowski) Mettert in the Cleveland area and Squire’s Castle, October 2018. Patricia celebrated the birth of her great-grandson, KB (Kenneth Bradley), who she adored. Ladies Grounded Bible Study and Refresh gave her a wonderful 100th birthday party with Perrysburg Mayor Mark Weber, who presented a proclamation. The celebration continued on for 35 days, across the Atlantic Ocean on the Queen Mary II to England, Ireland, Wales and a day in Paris. She has visited all 50 states. She has been a member of Historic Perrysburg and attended a Republican women’s conference in Dayton.
Her devotion to her family, Grace Church, God and country was a life well lived.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 17 years, David E. Hodges; grandparents, Emily (Linzell) and Harry Ramsay; parents, William and Elsie Campbell Swayze, and sonin- law, Bradley Mettert. She is survived by daughters, Jennifer Mettert, Julie (Tim) Seeley; grandchildren, David (Ashley) Mettert, Daniel and Emily; greatgrandchild, KB Mettert, and cats, Inky and Luna.
Friends and family will be received at Grace Church, 601 East Boundary Street, Perrysburg, Thursday, February 26, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., and Friday February 27, 9 to 11 a.m., with funeral services beginning at 11 a.m. Burial will follow in Fort Meigs Union Cemetery.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to Witzler-Shank-Walker Funeral Home.
Contributions may be made in Patricia’s name to Grace Church, c/o Children’s or Mission Programs. Condolences may be made online to the family at walk erfuneralhomes.com.