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For more than 40 years, physical therapist Marie Weafer-Hodgins served as a teacher and mentor to her colleagues, a compassionate advocate on behalf of her patients and a friend to many staff throughout the hospital. She passed away Feb. 14, 2010.
“Marie was a wonderful role model, both professionally and in life in general,” said Janice McInnes, supervisor for Rehabilitation Services. “She certainly will be missed.”
After training in physical therapy, Mrs. Weafer-Hodgins left home in Dublin, Ireland, and worked for a year at the Rusk Institute in New York before joining the staff of the Robert Breck Brigham Hospital in 1967. There, she helped develop the program for children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and followed hundreds of these children into adulthood.
“She had a great influence on decades of physical therapists in our department,” said Barbara Odaka, inpatient clinical supervisor for Rehabilitation Services. “Not only was she a great mentor and teacher, but she also was there for you emotionally, as a friend. She always had a kind word for everyone.”
Mrs. Weafer-Hodgins, who lived in Arlington, treated a diverse patient population in the ambulatory setting. “She was an extremely good listener and tuned in to patients’ needs,” McInnes said. “She became a passionate advocate for them, and they loved her.”
Mrs. Weafer-Hodgins formed lasting bonds with her patients and colleagues. “She stayed in touch with many of her patients long after treatment had ended, and with her work associates long after they had moved on,” said Victoria Gall, PT, MEd, project manager in the Division of Rheumatology, Immunology and Allergy.
Mrs. Weafer-Hodgins received the Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals’ Master Clinician Award in 2003 for her impact on generations of physical therapists, countless patients and the profession itself. In her free time, she was an active volunteer with the Arthritis Foundation and Catholic Charities.
Family was important to Mrs. Weafer-Hodgins, who recently celebrated her 25th wedding anniversary with husband Donald Hodgins.
In addition to her husband, Mrs. Weafer-Hodgins is survived by her sisters in Ireland, Dora Weafer and Kate Smyth, and many nieces, nephews and grand-nieces and nephews. A funeral Mass was celebrated in Arlington at St. Agnes Church, and interment was in Ireland. A memorial service at BWH is being planned.