Leilani (Hodson) Popp

Leilani Hodson Popp, age 72, passed away peacefully and surrounded by family on April 10, 2024, after a brief battle with cancer.

She was born on July 21, 1951 in Lihue, Kauai, Hawaii, the daughter of the late Paul E.  and Ann L. (Siders) Hodson.

Leilani grew up in Port William and graduated from Wilmington High School in 1969. She was a proud graduate of Ohio University in 1973, where she earned her B.S. in Education. She dedicated her professional career to Wilmington and Clinton County in many capacities.

She was a longtime substitute teacher, volunteer, and girls’ softball coach with Wilmington City Schools.

Leilani served as a member of Wilmington City Council, Downtown Wilmington Community Improvement Corporation, and the Clinton County Foundation. She was a graduate and past board member of Leadership Clinton.

She was a member of the Wednesday Book Club and a past member of the Murphy Theatre Board.  She  had volunteered with Friends of the Wilmington Public Library and Ohio Reads.

Leilani’s love of music was expressed through her active membership in the Clinton County Community Band and as a past member of the St. Columbkille Church Folk Choir.

She was also the previous owner of The Bookseller in downtown Wilmington.

Leilani is survived by her husband, Thomas, whom she met at Ohio University and were married on August 24, 1974, two children David (Monica) Popp of Alexandria, Virginia, Emily (Dan) Schneider of Washington, DC, and grandson Frederick Thomas Schneider.  She is also survived by her brother-in-law, Robert Popp of Louisville, Kentucky and sister-in-law, Anne Popp of Cambridge, Ohio.

The family will receive friends from 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM, Sunday, April 14, 2024 at Smith Funeral Home, 327 N. South Street, Wilmington, Ohio.  Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM, Monday, April 15, 2024 at St. Columbkille Catholic Church, 73 N. Mulberry Street, Wilmington, Ohio.

In lieu of flowers, Leilani asked for contributions to be made to the Clinton County Foundation, P.O Box 831, Wilmington, Ohio 45177.

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