15-05-2025
Llangollen: Memorial bench to be placed for 'amazing' woman
Born in Birmingham, Samantha 'Sam' Hodgetts moved to the North Wales town with her family when she was young. After years living abroad, she returned to the area just 18-months ago.
Sadly, on April 15, Sam passed away. She was just 33-years-old.
Sam Hodgetts with Dad Stephen Hodgetts at her graduation at Edinburgh Law School (Image: UGC)
Her brother, George Hodgetts, says the news changed the lives of their family forever.
"We received the absolutely heart-shattering news that no brother, no parent, no friend should ever have to hear", he said.
"It was sudden and devastating. Even now, writing this two weeks on, I still can't begin to process it. At just 33 years of age, with so much still to give and so many dreams left unfulfilled, she has been taken from us."
In Sam's honour, George is raising money to install a memorial bench along Llangollen Canal, the town where she grew up and touched many lives.
Sam with brother George Hodgetts and Laura Jones (Image: UGC)
George said: "Sam often said how being near water soothed her and helped her feel at ease. We feel this would be a fitting tribute, somewhere a passers-by can rest their tired legs and take in the calming waters and peaceful views, just as Sam loved to do.
"It will also give all of us who knew and loved her a quiet, reflective place to sit, remember her, and feel close to her spirit."
Sam had recently moved back to the area, after spending much time in Paris and Geneva where she worked for NGO charitable organisations.
"Sam finally came full circle and ended up back in Llangollen" George said.
"And to be honest we were so glad, it was so nice to finally have her close to home. She was so so happy in the months leading up to this.
Brother and sister, George and Sam Hodgetts (Image: UGC) "She also did a three month volunteer programme in Ghana, so charity and being so caring and kind was definitely a huge part of her life.
Upon her return to North Wales, her family say she was thriving in her new role as Volunteer Coordinator for the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod. Despite only being three months in, Sam oversaw the hundreds of volunteers who make the event a huge success.
Her family say her colleagues 'couldn't speak any more positively about her.'
Sam was also working as Clinic Manager for the Paris Psychology Centre and was in the final stages of her master's degree in Psychology, with hopes of becoming a clinical psychologist in the future - highlighting her unwavering desire to help people.
The fundraiser was initially set with a target of £4,000, the cost of a memorial bench as stated by the Canal and Rivers Trust.
However, within 24-hours, donations are just shy of reaching £6,000. You can visit the Just Giving page here.
"The target was smashed within hours we honestly couldn't believe it", George says.
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"My sister Sam was one of a kind. She had a genuine heart of gold and so much love to give. She had a fearlessness about her—a passion and courage to do what she believed was right at any given time.
"She was always ready to help others—whether through her work with various charitable organisations or by supporting friends and family through their struggles. She often put others before herself.
"Her personality was amazing and she had friends all over the world from where she had worked and travelled, she seemed to impact every person she met."
"A truly beautiful soul, and one who will be so painfully missed by all of us who were close to her."
