Alice Lee (Hodges) Thomas

Alice Lee Hodges Thomas “DeeDee”

Our mom, grandma, mama, great-grandma, aunt, and friend passed away peacefully in the early morning of January 23, 2025 at 91 years old. She was surrounded by the love of her family.

DeeDee was born in Billings on May 27, 1933 to William and Lillian Hodges. She was raised in Great Falls, Montana along with her five siblings. She graduated high school in 1951 then went on to the University of Montana where she became a member of Alpha Phi Sorority. She met the love of her life, Myles “Jack” Thomas, when he moved her into her dorm room. On May 29, 1954, two days after she turned 21, DeeDee and Jack eloped in Missoula, Montana and began their 65 years of love.

DeeDee and Jack lived in New York City while Jack finished his master’s degree at NYU. They returned to Montana and made their home in Billings on Clark Avenue where they raised their five children, grandchildren and countless others that would call them mom, dad, aunt, uncle, grandma, or grandpa.

Our mom was not only an amazing mom to our family but to the countless friends that lived with us or simply came over to hang out. As mom would say, our door is always open.

Our mom loved fashion and always loved to look her best. She began working at Doyle’s, a women's fine clothing boutique in downtown Billings, where she achieved her dream and eventually became the owner of this beautiful boutique. She ran Doyle’s for 12 years while raising her family. Her big smile, red lipstick, and broach on her lapel continued to be her signature style throughout her life.

Our mom was an active member in the Billings community. She served these wonderful organizations with her countless energy and time: Billings Preservation Society, P.E.O Chapter Y, Junior League of Billings, St. Patrick’s Co-Cathedral Renovation Project, and the Community Day Care, just to name a few.

Our mom loved her flowers. She would spend many hours in the backyard of her Clark Avenue home in the spring and summer taking care of those pots she planted. When DeeDee and Jack moved to Mission Ridge, she still had her plant pots on her little patio to take care of, and they bloomed wonderfully with the touch of her green thumb.

Our mom is preceded in death by her beloved husband Jack, son Mike, and sisters Susan and Shelly.

Our mom is is survived by her children Mark (Carol) Thomas, Matt Thomas, Shelly (Kyle) Kite, Susie (Steve) Cranston, Bonnie (Jim) Mountain. Her grandchildren Andrew (Sara), Steven (Angie), Matt, Kara, Alicia, Becca (Paul) and Jamie. Her great-grandchildren, Sadie, Austin, Landon, Logan and Mark Avery. She is also survived by her siblings, Polly, Bill and Tom as well as several nieces and nephews.

Our family would like to thank Jaysun Mims for all the love, friendship, and encouragement you showed our mom all these years. Father John Houlihan, we are forever grateful for the years of friendship, love and peace you have shown our family. Thank you to the staff at the Vista for the care that you gave to our mom. The staff at Liggett Cottage on the St. John’s campus and St. John’s Hospice, thank you for your loving ways and grace although our mom was only in your care for a short time.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the “Thomas Kids Gym” at the Billings Family YMCA or the Billings Catholic Schools Area Trust.

1 Corinthians 16:13-14: “Be watchful, stand firm in your faith, courageous, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.”  Mom, thank you for teaching us, leading us and most importantly loving us so well that saying goodbye is so hard. We love you!

A celebration of our mom’s life will be on May 2, 2025 at 10:00 am at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church (2055 Woody Dr). Luncheon reception to follow immediately at the Hilands Golf Club (714 Poly Dr.).