Linda L Hoffman

Linda Lee Hoffman (nee Espey) of St. Johns, Florida (formerly of Dyer, Indiana) passed away Saturday, August 21, 2021, surrounded by her loving family in her home of 42 years in Dyer. Linda is survived by me, her husband of 47 years, Tom Hoffman. We met on a blind date in October of 1973 and just 10 months later, we married on August 17th, 1974. She is also survived by our daughter Jen Usman (A.Z.) of Dyer. She is also survived by our son Tom, Jr. (Missy) and their 3 children, Kaitlyn, Kylie, and Aidan.

Our grandchildren were the light of her life. There wasn’t a day that passed that she would see or hear something that she said would be good or fun for the kids. Especially when it meant an opportunity for her to help them learn something new.

Linda’s brother Hal Espey of Carmel, Indiana, and Sister-In-Law Jan Hoffman of Schererville survive her as well. Linda was preceded in death by her parents Ellis and Eunice (Rowell) Espey.

Linda taught Science for 25 years in the Lake Central School system – 10 years at LCHS (she was the class sponsor for the class of 1974) where countless former students still remember her as “Miss Espey”. Linda put her career on hold when our first child, Tom, Jr. was born and did not return to her chosen career until both Tom and Jen were in school. When she did return to the classroom it was at the Kahler Middle School in Dyer. Our neighbors will attest to her dedication as a Middle School teacher because they would see her walking home from school in the evenings when, after an already full day in the classroom, she would stay over to set up a lab for the following day or to create a study guide for her students. If someone in her class didn’t learn something it was because they didn’t care to, and certainly not due to a lack of effort on her part. She would bend over backwards to help a student succeed in the subject.

While at Kahler Middle School Linda spread her love of nature by starting, and then sponsoring for about 10 years, the Eco-Teens Club. Besides helping to beautify the Kahler grounds, the Eco-Teens studied the environment through various activities and field trips. Each school year ended with a pool party for the club members at our home.

While out of the classroom being a mom, she decided to try her hand at retail sales by becoming an Avon sales representative. She worked in that capacity as a part time position for over 35 years and won dozens of sales awards along the way. Linda was a career member of the Lake Central Teachers Association and held the position of Treasurer for two years.,Linda was a member of the Dyer Garden Club for over 25 years serving as its President four separate times. During her time in the local club, she was also twice elected to be Treasurer of the Northwest District of the Indiana State Garden Club.

Linda fought as hard as anyone possibly could for almost 4 years to beat the Stage 4 Breast Cancer that was diagnosed in October of 2017. She never shed one tear over the diagnosis. With each new challenge that presented itself, she looked at it as just one more hurdle to overcome toward the day she would win the race against that horrible disease.

Services will be private per Linda’s wishes. On Thursday, August 26th, there will be a celebration of Linda’s life. This will take place at Andorra Banquets and Catering, 1112 US Highway 41, Schererville, IN 46375 beginning at 6:30 pm. At 7:30 we will talk and reminisce about Linda. Please feel free to share some fond memories or stories about Linda. This is an open House; so please feel free to spend as much or little time as you would like.

Please, no flowers. Instead, please consider donating to the Science Department (checks out to “Kahler Middle School Science Department”), Hospice of the Calumet Area, or the Northwestern Memorial Foundation.