A woman who made a difference in Hout Bay

The late Merle Hodges was fondly remembered for keeping the doors of the Hout Bay Museum open during the Covid-19 lockdown.

Last week, the Dennis Goldberg House of Hope shared the importance of the late Ms Hodges’ involvement in their project, (“Hout Bay held a special place in Merle’s heart”, Sentinel News, August 5, 2022).

Now the Hout Bay Museum has also shared the importance of Ms Hodges’ role in keeping their operations alive.

Board member, Sue Ball, described Ms Hodges as “unique and irreplaceable”.

“Merle was appointed to our Board at a critical juncture in our museum’s history and, with her managerial experience, she played a leading role in achieving a mutually beneficial partnership with the Denis Goldberg Legacy Trust,” she said.

Ms Ball said that aside from the many “legal and land issues”, there were also architectural considerations made by Ms Hodges in order for the old museum buildings and the modern gallery, to complement each other.

“Merle’s pragmatism and experience promoted accord and her guidance over two years was invaluable. In many ways, Merle epitomised the House of Hope as she was always hopeful, positive and enthusiastic and believed in finding solutions rather than fixating on obstacles,” Ms Ball said.

She said Ms Hodges was instrumental in the survival of the museum during the Covid-19 lockdown.

"Her dedication to maintaining the museum for the benefit of our diverse community and the successful erection of a magnificent gallery, the House of Hope, on museum property,“ Ms Balls said.

She described her former colleague as being a “joyous person, full of laughter and good cheer“.

“Her enthusiasm was infectious and this extraordinary optimism carried the Board through its darkest times, especially when our beloved manager, Jonty Dreyer, was grievously ill in ICU in Melomed Hospital with Covid. Merle was unique in her sense of duty and commitment. Even when ill, she would insist on being present and contributing prudent advice at meetings. At the same time, she was honest and direct and spoke up if there was something that went against her strong principles of what she believed to be good governance,” Ms Ball said.

“Merle was a lovely person and, as the Board of Trustees, we felt privileged to have her as our colleague and mentor.”