Eudora Hedges

Eudora May (Gillespie) Hedges was born in 1924 to Delbert and Pearl (Allen) Gillespie, in their home on the corner of York and B Street in Napa.  She passed away next door, peacefully at age 92, in the morning of February 18th in the home her father had built during the depression, and 75 feet from the place of her birth.  The last years of her life she tenaciously and stubbornly fought to remain in her family home often saying that she intended to live her last day there and no one was going to remove her!  Her wish was granted.

Following the second world war Eudora was married in a large and beautiful wedding at the Napa Seventh-Day Adventist Church to Leonard (Bill) Hedges, and together they raised three daughters in Napa. 

Eudora can be characterized as the descendent of tough pioneers who came to Northern California in 1849.  Her great grandfather was one of two children who survived the 11-month trip across the country in an ox drawn wagon; the family lost 5 children on the trail.  Known to everyone as “Dorie” her life was spent in Napa and Sonoma Counties, working as a bookkeeper and records manager in medical offices and hospitals, and raising her children.  After retirement Dorie worked for a number of years all around Napa Valley assisting many elderly with their bill paying, money management, and helping them with errands.  In the most recent years she sewed hundreds of layette quilts for her church to donate to the needy both locally and around the world.  For her, every day was a cheerful joy and her sense of humor and kindness never ceased to brighten everyone who knew her.  She was always close to her parents and all of her parent’s relatives and loved them all dearly. While her parents were living Eudora never missed regular family gatherings and all Holidays celebrated at the family home on B Street.

Eudora is survived by her brother Lorin Gillespie of Castro Valley, her daughters Linda Toy of Northeastern Virginia, Judy Hedges of Wyoming, nephews Allan Gillespie of Walla Walla, Washington, Dan Gillespie of Livermore, Jerry Gillespie of Sinn Fleisbach, Germany.  She was predeceased by her former husband and her youngest daughter, Jill, who lost her life at age 17 in a 1977 auto accident.

A life-long member of the Napa Seventh-Day Adventist Church, she is buried next to her Father and Mother and daughter, Jill, in Tulocay Cemetery.  The date for a memorial service is to be announced.  Memories may be shared on-line at www.tulocaycemetery.org.

 Service Information