Mary Jean Payne Hodskins

Mary Jean Payne Hodskins, 93, died peacefully on March 10, 2025, at the Heartford House in Owensboro. During her final journey to heaven, she was comforted by family, friends, caring nurses and staff, and her pastor.

Born on May 8, 1931, to William Cornelius Payne and Flora Anna Cecil Payne, she was the youngest of four children. Her mother was 44 years old when she gave birth to Mary Jean. Like so many in her generation, her family endured hardship during the Great Depression. They survived the 1937 flood, which inundated their farmhouse and land, having been rescued by boat from their rooftop. Mary Jean graduated from St. Francis Academy and married Henry Edward Hodskins Sr., who was the love of her life. They were together for over 61 years until Henry’s death in 2013. Mary Jean and Henry raised four children.

Mary Jean was feisty, determined, and independent. She was a longstanding member of the Immaculate Catholic Church, was devoted to her faith, and was proud of her children. She worked early on at General Electric and then at Owensboro Federal Credit Union as a financial adviser and loan officer. She liked to cook for her family and go on vacations. In later years she especially enjoyed visiting up and down the street with her neighbors.

She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents; her brothers, William L. “Frog” Payne and Oren J. Payne; and her sister, Lois Arnold.

Mary Jean is survived by her son, Ed Hodskins (Karen) of Owensboro, and her daughters, Gail Thompson (Paul) of Lexington, Anna Monarch (Don) of Knoxville, and Stephanie Broughton (Steve) of Cincinnati. Her grandchildren include Andrea Hodskins Clark (Brandon) and Laura Hodskins Bouslog (Chad), both of Indianapolis; Matthew Hodskins (Jessica) of Cincinnati; Dr. Tristan Thompson (Meg) of Lexington; Wesley Monarch of Knoxville; Ella Grace Monarch of Nashville; and Benjamin Broughton, Bailey Broughton, and Nicholas Broughton, all of Cincinnati. Her great-grandchildren include Audrey Hodskins and Graham Hodskins, both of Cincinnati; Chase Clark of Indianapolis; Fitzgerald Bouslog, Griffin Bouslog, and Macallister Bouslog, all of Indianapolis; and Henry Phillips Thompson and Mary Ellen Thompson, both of Lexington. She was also survived by Linda Sowders, a special niece, and by Jim and Martha Forman, who she regarded as family.

The family would like to thank the wonderful nurses and staff at the Heartford House for their kind and compassionate care. Special appreciation also goes to Fr. John Vaughan for his spiritual guidance.

The funeral Mass for Mary Jean will be held at 11:00 am Monday, March 17, 2025, at the Parish of the Immaculate Catholic Church. Visitation will be at the church from 9:00 am until the start of Mass. Entombment will be at Resurrection Cemetery.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to the Immaculate Catholic Church Building Fund or to the Heartford House.