Helen Hoffmann

Beloved By Many

Helen (Hanlon) Hoffmann, 92, of Newtown, died January 13. Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, she relocated to the United States upon her marriage in 1947 to the late Francis Hoffmann, and was a longtime resident of Newtown.

She was the loving mother of Elyse Hoffmann of Newtown, Michael Hoffmann of Madison, Wis., Catherine Hoffmann of Hudson, Mass., Christopher Hoffmann of Granby, and mother-in-law to Lynn and Jeanne; and the proud nana of eight grandchildren. Mrs Hoffmann is also survived by her dear friend Joyce McLean, and two nieces, all of Australia.

She was a loyal employee of Newtown Real Estate and Insurance Service for many years.

In a 2002 school project with a niece, Mrs Hoffmann recalled herself at the age of 29 as she embarked from her home in Australia to join her husband in the United States: “I am a nature type of girl. I am also a tomboy. I play golf and I love to swim.”

While raising four children in Newtown, Mrs Hoffmann was a superb cook and greatly enjoyed annual family vacations in Misquamicut, R.I. She and her husband enjoyed traveling after his retirement, and after his death she enjoyed several international trips with her children.

In her later years, she was an avid reader, a fan of the New York Yankees, and a critic of the political pundits.

She will be missed by her family and friends for her ever-genuine interest in others, and ability to support and celebrate their accomplishments.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St Rose of Lima Church, 46 Churchill Road, Newtown, Monday, January 18, at 10:30 am. Calling hours will be held in the Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street, Newtown, Sunday, January 17, from 3 to 5 pm. Interment will be in Newtown Village Cemetery in the Spring.

 The family kindly requests any donations in Mrs Hoffmann’s memory be to FISH (Friends in Service Here), 22 Bridge End Farm Lane, Sandy Hook CT 06482, or to Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps, PO Box 344, Newtown CT 06470. To leave an online condolence, go to honanfh.com.

The Newtown Bee        January 15, 2010