Josephine Hoffman, 92

Josephine Hoffman, 92, our Mother and friend, passed peacefully surrounded by love at 1:15 am, Wednesday, May 2, 2007 at Manor Care, Abbyville Rd, Lancaster.   Her life-long home was located at 1941 Millersville Road.   She now shares in eternal happiness in the arms of her God.

Born August 28, 1914 in Wilkes Bare, to Thomas and Josephine Hogan, she was the wife of John N. Hoffman, who passed away in 1998.   They were married for 66 years.     Due to Macular degeneration, Josephine lost her sight many years ago, and stayed as independent as possible until suffering a stroke at the age of 86.

Our Mother was wise, witty, selfless, was not materialistic, lived for her family and passed her faith in God onto her children.  She was a great cook, loved music, to dance, play pinochle and was an avid reader.   During the last 10 plus years she continued that desire by listening to books on tape until just recently.  Throughout their life together, Josephine and John maintained an extended garden in their backyard, which created a lot of hard work, but also the fruits of their labor lasted throughout the year.    After their retirement, our parents traveled throughout the United States every year into their late seventies, via a Volkswagen bus and later by way of a motor home.

Family was the center of her life, and is survived by four children, Delana C., wife of Robert L. Johnson, Maryjo, wife of S. Thomas Sottek, John G. Hoffman, husband of Suzanne, Colleen F., wife of Timothy E. Johns; seven grandchildren, Lee Johnson, Dee Johnson, Shawn Johnson, Tommy Sottek, Lori Tuinstra, John Hoffman, and Melanie Linder, also four great grandchildren, Kaeli Tuinstra, Mason Sottek, Ryleigh Sottek, and Dexter Hoffman.    She is preceded in death by two sisters, Frances Gallagher, Margaret Danner, and is survived by one sister, Mary Bath.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her Mass of Christian Burial, on Monday, May 7, 2007 at 11:00 am at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 440 Saint Joseph Street, Lancaster with Msgr. Thomas Smith.   Friends may visit with family at the church from 10:00 – 11:00 am.    Interment will follow Mass at the New Saint Joseph Catholic Cemetery.  Friends are invited back to the church for a luncheon immediately following. 

Our Mother grieved the lose of her sight for many years, and prayed for a cure.   Contributions can be made in her memory, in lieu of flowers, to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation (AMDF), P.O. Box 515 Northhampton, MA  01061-0515, to assist in the research of this eye disease. 

Arrangements are by Charles Snyder Funeral Home Inc., 441 N. George Street, Millersville.