A beloved entrepreneur, photographer and grandmother who spent decades working and caring for her town has died.
June Linda Hodgson – founder of Lillyputt Minigolf in Broadstairs – has been described as a “true pillar” in the community.
Having opened the Victoria Parade attraction in 1995, June worked tirelessly to develop and maintain its manicured landscape and fun, family atmosphere.
Born in London, in 1948, as a child her family enjoyed holidays on the Kent coast and soon moved to Broadstairs, where she attended The Charles Dickens School.
But her son, Sam Bridges, says her first business venture in the county was not mini golf, but photography.
“In the 60s and 70s she was a photographer, doing photo days at schools and nurseries all around Kent.
“She started her own business called June Photographics – she had a real knack for clicking the shutter at just the right time and engaging the kids.”
By the 80s the go-getter had begun a new venture – taking over a minigolf business in Cliftonville.
It was during her 15 years working there that June acquired the experience and confidence to, in 1995, open her own course, Lillyputt Minigolf in Broadstairs, which remains on the clifftop today.
“She was so proud of her business, even at 77, she was there every day,” added Sam, 49.
“We celebrated the 30th anniversary just two weeks before she fell ill.
“She was a hardworking, fun-loving woman and a real pillar of the Broadstairs community.”
In 2011, June was awarded the Millennium Cup in recognition of her significant contributions in promoting Broadstairs.
The following year, after living abroad, Sam and his brother Mike returned to Kent.
Sam began working at Lillyputt, while June encouraged Mike to start business ventures of his own.
“She helped me establish two really successful businesses in Broadstairs – a little cafe at the bandstand, and Louisa Bay Cafe,” said Mike, 48.
“She loved Broadstairs, she had so many friends, so many people knew her.
“Even up until her passing, she was very reluctant to let anyone cut the grass at the mini golf because nobody could do it as nicely as she could.”
June spent time living in Faversham, Canterbury and Herne Bay, and enjoyed travelling all over the world, including New Zealand, Japan, Bermuda and Spain.
Having rekindled a relationship with her childhood sweetheart Steve Hodgson in the early 2000s, the couple finally married in June 2007.
She was a grandmother to three: Milo, Poppy and Hugo.
Shortly after returning from holiday, June suffered a brain haemorrhage and six days later passed away, surrounded by her family on Friday, June 13, aged 77.
A funeral procession departing from Lillyputt Minigolf honoured her life last Wednesday, before a service at Margate Crematorium and a tribute at Broadstairs Bandstand.
