Mary Elizabeth Hoffman

Reverend Mary Elizabeth Eastman Dixon Hoffman, 90, of Davenport, passed away on September 16, 2023 at Genesis East Medical Center. Per her wishes, she will be cremated. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday October 13 at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral. Visitation will be held one hour prior to service. Inurnment will take place at Oakdale Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Memorials may be left to Trinity Episcopal Cathedral or to Episcopal theological education/diocese of Iowa.

Mary was born in Oklahoma City, OK to Vera M and Henry K Dixon. She graduated from Drake University and did her graduate work at the University of Iowa. She married Larry “LG” Hoffman, her high school sweetheart, on June 5, 1953. He preceded her in death on May 6, 1991.

She obtained her masters in social work and began working at Vera French Community Health Center. There she was an advocate for the mentally ill and those in need for many years.

Mary had two great loves in her life, her family and her church. For years, she had a calling to serve the Lord. She started the process for the deaconate in the Episcopal Church. She was ordained by the Right Reverend C. Christopher Epting as a Deacon on August 15, 1995. She served as a Deacon at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral until her retirement on June 7, 2009. She was the first woman to serve the community at Trinity Cathedral in its history. She started many ministries at Trinity, which continue today. She organized and trained the Lay Eucharistic Visitors. She started the Parish Visitor’s Group. She started the Hildegards prayer and Bible Study Group. As a Deacon, she faithfully supported lead clergy for Sunday and weekday services, Sunday school, funerals, weddings, quiet days, and many special services and programs. She was an outstanding servant of Christ throughout her life.

She was a great baker and cook. Avid gardener, she was always connected to mother earth. Before her eyes failed her, she was a needlepoint person and knitted many prayer shawls that were given to individuals in the hospitals and nursing homes. She was a pet owner and is survived by her cat Benji, who she adored. She was a giving and loving person up until the end, always helping those in need. She was an outstanding listener to all.

She is survived by her two children, Keith Hoffman and John Hoffman. Along with these two children, there is Rich Berglund and Rita Hoffman. She additionally has three half siblings, Penny Balfour, Tracy Leonard, and Happy Leonard. She has one grandson, Gene Hoffman and two great grandchildren, Max and Keegan Hoffman.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, close cousin Margaret Shearer and sister-in-law Janet Hartnett.