Castalia -

Margaret "Jean" Hobday, age 88, passed away peacefully Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at Autumn Care of Nash in Nashville, North Carolina. The start of a wonderful journey began on July 30, 1936 in Washington, D.C., daughter of Stanley and Margaret Smith Henderson. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, William "Bill" Hobday and daughter, Donna Marie Hobday Kauffman.

She leaves a lifetime of memories for her daughters, Terri Pace and husband, John of Castalia and Kathy Hobday of Tontitown, AR, and her sister, Gail Henderson Griffith of Ashville. Lovingly known as "Neenaw", Jean was a proud grandmother to Mitchell Kauffman and wife, Alissa, Spencer Kauffman and wife, Allison, LeeAnn Pace Shelton and husband, Cooper, and Grant Turner and wife, Paige and great-grandmother to Kian and Rowan Kauffman, and Colin and Casey Kauffman, and a loving aunt to niece Diane Forward Davis and nephew Chip Forward.

Jean was the owner of Lucky B-J Ceramics in Rockville, Maryland in the 70's and early 80's. A natural entrepreneur, Jean started a small ceramic business from her basement that she quickly outgrew. She opened a storefront that could hold all of her inventory and teach classes from. Her business then blossomed into a ceramics distribution center where she became the 7th largest in the country. After many years running the storefront and distribution center, she sold the business and moved to Castalia, NC in 1984 to pursue a new dream with her family.

Built on hard work, dedication, and a lot of love, Jean and her family successfully established "Cedar Rock Farm" in Castalia where she made many friends that quickly became family. During the spring and summer seasons, Jean and her husband, Bill worked tirelessly on the farm. They became regular "snow birds" at Rainbow SUN RV Community in Frostproof, FL where they traveled every winter. She quickly became a friendly face at the resort and worked in the office and was the entertainment director for many years. She planned and hosted many coffee days, musical appearances, dances and other fun events. Jean and Bill traveled to Florida for many years, eventually retiring from the drive and allowing their children to take them annually until their declining health prevented their trip. Although they couldn't visit their beloved Rainbow Community, they were reminded about the lasting friendships they created when they received cards signed by all of their friends in Florida, a tradition that Jean spearheaded during her time there. A life well lived, Jean will truly be missed by her family, Cedar Rock Farm family and her many friends from Rainbow.

A private memorial will be held at a later date.