Winnie "Kay" Hoffer

Born May 33, 1933

Died Dec 16, 2023

Kay Hoffer was many things to many people, her family and her friends.

* Kay was a survivor of hard times:

Kay was born in a small farming community outside of Gilmer, Texas, to William Elijah and Lillie Mae Collier.

Kay was the last child of 9 children, most of her sisters and brothers were already living away from home with families of their own when Kay came along. Her father being a farmer, didn’t make much money and times were hard.

When she was 12 years old she suffered her first traumatic loss, her beloved father died, leaving Kay and her mother Lillie Mae to depend on several family members. When Kay was in high school, her grandmother Collier’s house burned and she eventually moved in with her older sister Jean and her husband.

* Kay was a fast learner:

Kay found out what hard work was at an early age. She and her mom took jobs where they could find them, eventually moving to Dallas, Texas to work at Baylor Hospital.

She understood that hard work was the only way to survive the hard times and staying close to her mom was important to her.

She was very outgoing and popular in school. She enjoyed participating in high school sports and was head cheerleader.

* Kay was a loving wife and mother:

While working in Dallas, she met and married the love of her life, John Eugene Hoffer III, from Wheeling, WV. He was serving in the US Air Force - stationed at Carswell AFB, Fort Worth. They were devoted to each other and enjoyed 65 happy years of marriage. They had 3 children, Michael, Donna and Cheryl.

Moving from New Mexico, to Texas, to Alaska and then back to Texas, Kay learned to be flexible and giving in her marriage. She was always loving and serving to her husband, and to her family, assisted by her mother who helped raise a busy family with active kids. Kay’s mother, Lillie, joined the family living and traveling with the Hoffers for the first 13 years of their marriage. It was important that Kay’s family be happy, enjoy life and also be well fed. She enjoyed cooking and baking for them. She loved to laugh and always found joy in the family she loved so much.

In John’s military career he served extended tours of duty in Greenland and Vietnam being absent from the family. Kay was a strong working woman, determined to raise her family in a Christian home.

* Kay enjoyed many interests:

Kay loved to be active and social. A few of the things she loved were sitting by the pool working on her tan in the summertime, and playing bingo at the country club. When John retired from the Air Force, she was a help-mate in his business career, working on his accounts and supporting his office staff when he became a division manager for Electrolux. She loved traveling with good friends - Francene and David Shipman to many wonderful destinations, including Florida, Jamaica and Las Vegas. She loved the parties and dressing up, always wearing beautiful dresses and fashionable clothes.

* Kay loved good food:

When John bought a breakfast/lunch cafe near TCU, Kay was right beside him, dedicated to preparing wonderful meals and homemade desserts and pies for the restaurant. She loved good food and made the business successful.

* Kay had a head for business:

When they sold the restaurant and bought a Chevron service station in Burleson, she once again played a part in her husband’s business, working side by side to manage the books and payroll. She was always committed to making the business run smoothly by making herself available with a good attitude.

* Kay was an overcomer:

Later in life, Kay survived several falls and accidents breaking bones. She once fell through the attic ceiling and hit the garage floor. She always pushed through surgeries and recovered as best she could, always in a hurry to be up and running again. She was too busy to sit down for long.

Kay tended to John and his needs all through their many years together. Even at the end of his life, she was faithfully by his side, making him comfortable and happy. They laughed whenever they could and enjoyed finding humor wherever they could. It was important for them to be together and have fun, even when happiness was hard to find. Being with family gave them the most pleasure.

Since she had overcome so many difficulties in her young life, Kay was very independent and wanted to care for herself and live in her own home. Eventually, it became necessary for her to move.

When her life was coming to a close, she was still smiling and loving; quick to wave and smile when she saw you and share her time with you. Kay loved the attention and visits from family and friends. We are going to miss her, her home cooking, her laugh and her smile.

Kay was proceeded in death by her husband John Hoffer and daughter Donna Griffit. Kay is survived by son Michael Hoffer and wife Brenda; daughter Cheryl Reed and husband Don; grandson Jeff Ogle and wife Lauren; granddaughters Lauren Allen and Candice White; step-grandsons Cody and wife Sarah; Clayton Reed and wife Meagan; and 7 great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank her many caregivers including Dr. Jagadesh, Brandon with One Point Home Health, Vitas Hospice Care and Bethesda Garden Memory Care facility.