5584-R1_NewGloucester_2017AnnualReport_Web

Dedication of the Town Report Joyce I. Hodgman March 19, 1936 – May 17, 2017

What do you say about a New Gloucester Icon? Joyce was born on March 19, 1936 a daughter of Foye and Ada Morrison Wescott. She graduated from nearby Mechanic Falls High School. She met and married her soul mate Kenneth Hodgman on February 5, 1954, they have three children Scott, Donna and Kathy. Joyce and Kenneth ran and operated their family business Hodgman’s Frozen Custard in New Gloucester. During this time Joyce became “Momma Custard” guiding many of the communities’ youth into adulthood. Her extended family includes her children, grandchildren, cousins, pets and many “adopted” family members. The business, although very important to Joyce was not her true calling, giving was. Did you know she acted as an unofficial food bank, clothing store, financial advisor, and mentor in the community? If you were in need she was there with a smile, kind words and the physical items you needed (even when you did not realize what you needed). She was a volunteer for the Senior Citizens of Cumberland County where she helped seniors navigate the MaineCare/Medicare process, healthcare issues, transportation problems and life. She did all this before the organizations of today existed. She often spent hours sitting with seniors to better understand their needs. She was a mentor to many in the community wishing to start a small business. She gave information freely about the process to start your business, maintain and expand. She was the Queen Bee of networking, if you needed a connection she could give you several off the top of her head and with a little thought could give you enough names to fill a spreadsheet. Many of the things Joyce did in our community were behind the scenes, she did not need the public recognition and praise. The act of giving was the reward, she truly loved people. She shared this with her family often engaging her daughter Donna in the adventure. Joyce first introduced many New Gloucester residents to art via her ceramics studio which she ran in the current Rosanna’s location. This was a big hit with New Gloucester residents with multiple generations attending classes together. Painting, glazing, storytelling, and New Gloucester history lessons were always heard. Joyce was an active member in the New Gloucester Congregational Church, Fireside Club, AmVets, and was a volunteer at the Androscoggin Hospice House. She will be missed by all who were lucky enough to have been part of her life. The New Gloucester community has truly lost an unsung hero.

3