Marion Stegeman Hodgson, 43-W-5 | March 24, 2016

Put God first, family next, then whatever you want to do.   When you're needed be there.  You can do anything with God's help.

                       WASP Marion Hodgson, 43-5

Marion Stegeman Hodgson, 94, of Wichita Falls, author and former Woman Airforce Service Pilot (WASP), left the "surly bonds of earth" permanently and soared heavenward on Thursday, March 24, 2016.

Born in Athens, Georgia, on December 16, 1921, Marion graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from the University of Georgia in May of l941, the year of Pearl Harbor. While at Georgia, she earned her private pilot's license under the prewar Civilian Pilot Training Program. This qualified her to apply for Army Air Forces flight training — the first time in history that American women would be trained to fly military aircraft.

Marion won her silver wings in 1943, in one of the first classes of women to graduate from Army Air Force flight training. After graduation from flight school at Avenger Field, Sweetwater, Texas, she was stationed at Love Field in Dallas and served in the ferry command. She picked up new planes at factories and delivered them to air bases around the country as well as to points of embarkation, for overseas shipment. 

In 1944, Marion married a Marine pilot from her hometown, Lt. Col. Edward "Ned" Hodgson. They lived in Fort Worth for more than 50 years, rearing their family there. Marion delighted in being a stay-at-home mother while writing from her home. She produced and sold short stories and articles to national magazines, published four cookbooks and a novel, and wrote special features for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, mostly about women pilots. Her book, Winning My Wings, recounting her WASP experiences, is now in its third printing.  

While living in Fort Worth, Marion was active in the Junior League and St. Andrew's Episcopal Church. Widowed in 1997, she moved two years later to Wichita Falls to be near family. She continued her membership in the 99s, an international organization of women pilots, and was sworn in at Sheppard Air Force Base as the first WASP member of the Order of Daedalions, an organization of military pilots. Always full of fun, Marion also took delight in being asked to join the International Order of Characters. 

Marion's primary interest and focus after the war years was faith and family. Her greatest satisfaction came through being a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She won many honors (Texas Aviation Hall of Fame; Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame, Congressional Gold Medal), but she never felt she deserved them. "It's like God's grace," she often said, "Totally undeserved and free."  

A high point in her life was her baptism in the River Jordan, after becoming a late-in-life Christian.  

Marion is survived by son, Edward Sheldon Hodgson and his wife, Marlene (Skaggs) of Willis, TX, son, John Foster Hodgson of Louisville, KY, and wife, Robin (Blackerby); daughter, Marjorie Hodgson Parker and husband, Joe of Byers, TX; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, donations to favorite charities or the WASP Museum, 2010 Avenger Field Rd, Sweetwater, TX 79556, are suggested. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.lunnscolonial.com.

A memorial service was held at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 1, 2016, at Lunn's Colonial Funeral Home with Dr. David B. Hartman officiating. Interment will be in the Hodgson family plot, Oconee Cemetery, Athens, Georgia. 

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Personal note:  My heavy heart at the loss of Marion Hodgson is just a bit selfish and completely temporary I know.  Marion was a friend and a world-class prayer partner and supporter.  Every WASP loss is felt as a thundering echo that somehow shakes the heavens, but the loss of Marion is more like the sound of a beautiful symphony.  This loss is heaven's gain, and my heart is overjoyed at the thought of this gentle giant of faith, finally free of earth bound challenges...finally free indeed.  

Throughout the years I've been privileged to know her, I have been touched by her strength through every health challenge.  She met each one with grace, courage, and determination.  And, as always, her endearing Southern charm, and a gentle sense of humor.  

With love and respect to her family and all the many, many lives she touched, loved, inspired and prayed for around the world.  God bless you all.

Interview with Marion, 2010

Interview transcript, VHP 

Marion Hodgson, Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame

Lois Maxine Dobbin Auchterlonie, 43-W-8 March 24, 2013

Lois Maxine Dobbin Auchterlonie, 43-W-8

Lois Maxine Dobbin was born April 14, 1917 on a farm East of Viola,  Kansas to Thomas M and Alma R. Dobbin.  She grew up in Wichita, Kansas.   

Lois graduated from East High in Wichita, Kansas and later attended Wichita State University, where she was President of the Delta-Omega Sorority in her senior year.   

In 1941, while still enrolled in college,  she had the opportunity to take the CPT (Civilian Pilot Training) program.  After earning her Bachelor's Degree and her civilian private pilot's license,  she went to work at Boeing’s Stearman Plant in Wichita.  It was there she heard about the WASP program to train women pilots to fly military aircraft.

Lois applied and was accepted for military flight training in class 43-8. In 1943, she paid her way to Avenger Field, Sweetwater, Texas, to enter the Army Air Force training program for women pilots.   Of the 95 women pilots who entered class 43-8,  Lois was one of only 48 who successfully completed the six months of training and graduated.  

After earning her silver WASP wings, Lois received her official AAF orders,  sending her  to Williams Field, Arizona for duty as an AT-6 engineering test pilot.   During her career as a WASP, Lois flew the PT-17, PT-19, BT-13, AT-6, UC-78, AT-9 AND AT-11.  Her dedication and service, together with that of the other Women Airforce Service Pilots,  released hundreds of the Army Air Forces desperately needed male military pilots for combat duty. 

After the WASP were deactivated, Lois built a career around aviation-related jobs:   working at flight schools; writing pilot flight manuals at North American (AJ-1 and XA25-1); working as a secretary for an aircraft parts service company in Wichita;  and eventually working for over thirty years  as a technical editor and proposal coordinator for Raytheon in Massachusetts.

In 1981, Lois became a charter member of the Women Military Aviators (WMA), an organization that included both WASP and other women military pilots.  She helped write the original by-laws and continued networking with members from  various flying branches of the military for many years.

Lois enjoyed flying her own Cherokee 180 for over twenty years.  She was very active in the Ninety Nines (international civilian women pilots) organization,  and helped manage the All-Women New England Air Race for several years.  She flew co-pilot in the 1961 Powder Puff Derby from Calgary,  Canada to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and In 1972, Lois entered and won the All-Women New England Air Race. 

Lois met her husband, Charles Auchterlone in college.  Later,  they married and made their home in Acton, Massachusetts until Charles retired.  In 1987   the couple moved to Anacortes, Washington.  They were married for 32 years.

After she lost her husband, Lois spent her time fostering cats needing new homes, as well as serving as the volunteer treasurer at the church thrift shop and treasurer for a church women's group.  She remained active in the local community club as well as playing a few rounds of golf.  However, she referred to attending the WASP and WMA reunions as "The highlight of my year."

In 2010, Lois, together with her sister WASP, was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for her service as a pilot during World War II.  

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Lois passed away peacefully on March 24, 2013 following a fall at her home in Snohomish Washington. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband,  and her brother.  She is survived by brother-in-law, Kenneth Auchterlonie and numerous nieces and nephews.  

A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 pm, April 20, 2013 at Evergreen Funeral Home, 4504 Broadway in Everett. 

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Animal Shelter of your choice.

v/r posted by nancy parrish

from Betty Turner's "Out of the Blue and Into History" p. 267 and Byrd Granger's "On Final Approach."  

Photo from the Wings Across America digital archive.