Carleen Vinal Haskell Hodgdon

Hodgdon, Carleen Vinal Haskell, 89, passed away in St. Petersburg, Florida, on March 15, 2003. Born in Hartford, Connecticut, Carleen came to St. Petersburg with her parents for the first time in 1927. She attended Florida State College for Women, now FSU, where she was the student body president and graduated ?Cum Laude? in 1934. From 1934 to 1938 she taught at St. Petersburg High School, returning to New England in the summer of 1938 when she married Ralph W. Haskell, Jr. Following the birth of their two sons, Craig and Bruce, and after her husband?s enlistment in World War II, the family moved permanently to St. Petersburg 1944. Carleen then joined the staff of Shorecrest School where her mother, Emma K. Vinal, was principal and owner. She took over the management of the school upon her mother?s illness. Carleen served twenty-five years as head of the school until 1973, and during her tenure Shorecrest changed campuses to its present location and significantly increased in size and reputation. She remained active in the school after her son, Bruce, took over as headmaster, and continued to assist in the school programs after her husband, Ralph, passed away in 1976. She served as curriculum director and college counselor until her retirement. In 1983 she married former Shorecrest Director of Studies and instructor of English, John Hodgdon, who passed away in 1992. During her professional career, Carleen?s commitment to education and her dedication to excellence significantly impacted the lives of thousands of St. Petersburg students. In November of 2002, the Shorecrest Library was dedicated in her name to honor her life-long contribution to Shorecrest. She received numerous awards for educational excellence and was a founding member of the Florida Council of Independent Schools, serving as Vice President for four years and as a member of the Board of Directors for ten years. Carleen was active as a volunteer in St. Petersburg charities, including a continuous role with the Family and Children?s Service Centers. Mrs. Hodgdon is survived by her two loving sons, Craig and Bruce Haskell, by six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. The family has asked that those who wish to remember Mrs. Hodgdon in lieu of flowers make a donation in her memory to Shorecrest Preparatory School, 5101 1st Street NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33703.