Stephanie Louise Hodgkinson (28 May 1988 - 12 May 2023)

Steph,

I have only just discovered that you are no longer with us, and I am absolutely devastated.

We worked together for a couple of years before you moved away to pastures new and we sadly lost contact. But my memories of our shared moments will never be forgotten, because you were one of a kind for all the right reasons.

I found you enormously kind, thoughtful, and funny. Your disposition always brightened everyone's day.

I remember our conversations with great fondness, sometimes hilarious and sometimes deep and meaningful.

My heartfelt thoughts go out to your children, family, friends and work colleagues, who I know must be missing you terribly.

Rest in Peace beautiful Stephanie. You will not be forgotten x

Steph 💕

When I think of our friendship, I think of what it means to be friends. Steph as a friend always made you smile because she was always smiling, Steph would always encourage me to see the positive from things even when they seemed dark, Steph managed to see the opportunity and helped me to think about what I would want to get out of a situation and how to move forwards. Steph was so supportive when I told Steph that I was with a woman and that I thought we would get married, Steph was like a child at Christmas so excited jumping on me and insisting that she must get to know Sophie and appraise her! Steph was a real friend because Steph would always correct me if I said something self depreciating like I look fat in this Steph would always say people pay for those curves and encourage me to embrace what I was given - we’d always end up laughing! Steph knew how to make you feel confident and how to not care what people think about you! Our messages would often look like essays where we’d struggle to get a date in but run through a list of things to “catch up or check in on”! Steph would be there anytime you needed, you could always rely on her even when you need help to hide your wedding dress from your fiancée last minute… although Steph being a good friend would tell me it couldn’t be hidden because I had too much stuff - again Steph was right! Steph to me had a beautiful soul and shined a light that everyone could see when she was the room.

Dear William and Louie,
Your mum was the most friendly and smiley person in the playground. She was so warm and kind and a lovely person to speak to. Whenever I spoke to her she always spoke with such pride about you two. William I remember her saying how brave you had been when your leg injury was healing and I remember her cheering you on at sports day last year. I’m truly sorry that she has been taken from you too soon and hope that you will remember her beautiful bright light.
With love, Sarah x

Hey Matey,

I miss your smile, I miss you humour, I miss your advice, I miss your dedication to being a vet nurse, I miss your cuppas, I miss our somewhat inappropriate conversations, I miss you.

Sleep tight my beautiful friend.



William and Louie I’m sure all around you will tell you frequently just how much your mummy loves you, and she really does.
She had such great plans for the three of you to pursue with the same adventurous spirit as always. Mummy was so proud of you both and always shared your latest achievements. Sending love to you both.

Although our lives never crossed as adults, it is clear to see what an amazing person you were Steph. Seeing all of the adventures and fun times you had with your boys also shows what an amazing Mum you were to William and Louie. It breaks my heart that I never got to meet your boys and you never got to meet my girls. I promise to introduce them to one another very soon.

I will forever cherish the memories of our childhood, spending time together round at Grandma Ella’s, annual trips to Mablethorpe and you playing such a special role at Mum’s wedding. My Mum (Auntie Joan as you fondly called her) is also heartbroken at the tragic news and we have spent many an evening over recent weeks talking about those precious memories we will hold dearly forever.

Rest easy you beautiful lady - you were one of a kind who clearly touched so many lives ❤️❤️❤️❤️

We are so pleased you and Helen met Steph, and that you and your families had lots of happy fun times together.We only met you a couple of times but it was obvious you were such a lovely person who really shone. You are sorely missed.Rosemary and Doug Gravestock

Such a sad tragic loss. So many hearts broken.

Dear Steph, We were so sorry to hear of the horrible news. Your Mother, a wonderful neighbour and friend of mine, told me how wonderful you were as a daughter, mother and friend. Your wonderful sons, William and Louis, are a credit to you: intelligent and kind. I have little doubt they will continue to make you proud 🙏. Rest in peace. With love from:
Elsa, Daniel, Ian xxx

Steph you lit up the room, I met you at Blenheim when you welcomed me with open arms. You put me at ease, joked endlessly about my age and height but always with a good heart so no offence taken. We laughed and danced our way through the busy days, I still joke about how you would tell Jodie and I off for our handwriting, yours was always perfect, just like you.
William and Louie take some comfort knowing how truly loved and well thought of your Mummy was by all who were fortunate enough to know her. Hold her in your hearts forever and live your lives to make her proud.
Mandie xxx

Steph,
Not many people can light up a room like you. Always bright and smiling, ready with a hug and a brew (you made a wicked hot choccy). You will be so missed by so many, I feel privileged to have known you and worked with you. Your boys knew so much love with you, we all loved hearing about your adventures together.
The brightest of lights taken too soon, now to shine on all who had the joy of knowing you as the brightest of stars.

Beautiful, generous, kind with a contagious smile. You are forever an inspiration for us x

Darling beautiful Steph

This is the message I shouldn’t be having to write.

The day I found out you’d passed is one I shall remember for the rest of my life. Feelings of utter shock, confusion, sadness, anger and dismay are just some of the emotions I have experienced since finding out. How could this have happened?

You were the sweetest, kindest and funniest person to be around. Working with you was never a bore! I remember asking you to take some photos of me scrubbed in to a particular surgery one day which you gladly obliged to do. But what did you do instead? Took a bunch of funny face selfies 🤪😂. That was so typically you, and I’m so glad I still have those photos from all those years ago as now they are even more precious to me than before.

I will always remember when you were pregnant with William and someone asked for some assistance with a patient. Usually you’d have been only too happy to help, but not on this occasion. You simply said that you were far too busy growing a nervous system, and that the next day you’d be growing a circulatory system, so you wouldn’t be able to help much then either!!! Just brilliant 🤩 You were so excited to become a mummy, a role that you clearly fell into so so naturally.

William and Louie - Please know how very much loved your mummy was by all who knew her. She will stay in your hearts for all eternity, guiding you through your lives as you grow 💙💙

Sleep tight, Northern Steph.
Turrah Chuck
Lots of love forever
Josephine 💖💖💖

Dearest Steph,

I don’t know where to begin to be honest…you were so special to me. Will miss you more than words can say. I feel so lucky to have your voice notes…to hear your voice. Especially my recent birthday one - it always makes me smile!

You tagged me in post on Instagram that read something like…even though we don’t see each other often, when we do there’s nothing but love.

We did form a strong bond all those years ago and I will treasure our friendship always.

You were such a beautiful person inside and out…I loved to just be around you. You helped me through such a dark time in my life, for which I will be forever grateful.

Even though you were far away we’d message and FaceTime - you’d brighten up my day.

Remember when you gave me some vanilla ice cream and I said “what’s those bits in it”?! You couldn’t stop laughing! You loved my Derbyshire accent.

Love you more than Nutella,

Your JC

xxxx

Dear William & Louie,

I had the pleasure of working closely with your mum last year (2022) as her career coach. Her energy, enthusiasm and zest for life was infectious. I always looked forward to our sessions.

She had the most incredible sense of humour and she was full of so much love, kindness and playfulness. I used to always say to her she needed to be on stage as her light was too bright not to share with others.
I always remember working with her on her personal achievements and having you two was her number one achievement. She said:

Personal Achievements:
"1. Becoming a Mum. Every day I see the contribution I make to my boys’ lives when I’m told how kind they are with their friends, when we share laughs together, when we engage as a family. I’m proud when they reflect some of my favourite attributes I have in myself."

Sending you and your family so much love, your mum was one of a kind and she will be so missed.

Lots of Love, Lou x

Steph,

There aren’t many as special as you. Your kindness, energy and wit were one of a kind. A huge heart, a brilliant smile and wow did you make me laugh!

I absolutely loved spending my time with you - you listened, never judged and remembered everything. Your passion for life and doing exciting things continues to motivate me and I’ll hold that in my heart forever.

The love you had for your boys was so gorgeous to watch. You were a truly dedicated, brilliant mum. One the of the best for sure.

Thank you for being such a wonderful friend and for sharing amazing times with me. Love you Fizzer.

Helen, Alex, Bodhi and Cora Xxxx

With love