Gwendolyn Parker

On October 15, 2020, Gwendolyn “Jean” Parker (Hodge) passed away from leukemia.  A 61-year resident of Watersedge, she was married to the late Charles “Cotton” Parker and was a devoted mother to Wendy Rodriguez (married to Aurelio), Pam Crone, Dan Parker (married to Claudia), and Barb Parker.  Cherished grandmother to Liz Trojan, Eric Crone (married to Megan), Alice Szwdlowski (engaged to Jimmy) Amanda Crone, Stephanie Parks (married to John), Jose Rodriguez (engaged to Brady) and Luis Rodriguez (married to Stephanie); Great-grandmother to Cassidy and Kendal Trojan, Stevie and Danny Collison, Walter and Leonard Parks.  She loved her big family that included all the Rodriguezes, Crones, Trojans, Szwdlowskis and her community of dear friends in Watersedge and Dundalk.   

Jean was a hard worker and a “Tough Old Bird”.  She retired from Bethlehem Steel in 2002 after becoming one of the first female carpenters, bricklayers and foreladies there.  She loved working in her yard, bowling and sharing her Assateague Pointe home in West Ocean City with family and friends.

She grew up in Shady Valley, TN and enjoyed visiting family and friends there over the years.  She was preceded in death by her mother Eula Blanche Hodge and brothers John Melvin and Robert Harold Hodge.

Family will receive visitors at the Connelly Funeral Home of Dundalk on Monday from 4-8 PM. A funeral service celebrating Jean's life will be held on Tuesday at 12 noon. Interment will follow at Oak Lawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.