Former Rochester resident Carolyn Lee Hodgson RN, 87, passed away peacefully on the morning of December 30, 2023, at Munson Hospital in Cadillac, Michigan.

On September 1, 1936, Carolyn L. Burkett was born to the late Otis and Beulah (Shonk) Burkett, at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana. She was the second of three daughters and is survived by her older sister Joyce Good of Rochester, Indiana and was preceded in death by her younger sister Sharon Hurd and an infant brother, John Burkett.  Carolyn graduated from Rochester High School in 1954.  She went on to pursue her dream of becoming a nurse after turning 40, ultimately earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and becoming a Registered Nurse. With great devotion to her patients and a love for medicine she enjoyed working for two decades at the Cadillac Mercy Hospital (now Munson), eventually specializing in oncology nursing.

On September 2, 1991, Carolyn married Bruce Hodgson. Together they lived near Cadillac and were surrounded by Bruce's children and grandchildren. He preceded her in death in 2011.  Carolyn and Bruce enjoyed many family events including pancake breakfasts at the family park and camping with the grandchildren.

A mother very proud of her legacy, Carolyn raised four children: Gregory McMillen (Lisa) of Rochester, Indiana, who preceded her in death; Jazanne McMillen of Gallatin Gateway, Montana; Cheryl McMillen (Connie Juntunen) of Falls Church, Virginia; and Mitchell McMillen (Lisa Durba) of New Milford, Connecticut. Also surviving are four grandchildren: Melea Justice (Branden) of Macy; Garrett McMillen of Rochester; Alex McMillen of Arlington, VA; Erin McMillen of Falls Church, VA   Carolyn also had three great-grandchildren including Bristol Justice, Gatlin McMillen and Gentry McMillen. Infant grandson Blaine McMillen preceded her in 1987.

A celebration of Carolyn Burkett Hodgson's life will be scheduled at a later date. Memorials in lieu of flowers may be made in Carolyn's name to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation at www.jdrf.org .