Eleanora Mendel Hoffman

Eleanora was preceded in her passing by her husband and dancing partner of 61 years, Arthur, and her son, Gerald Arthur Hoffman, Sr, parents Henry and Adela Mendel, brother Alton, sisters Estelle, Evelyn and brother-in-law Billy, and sister-in-law Doris. She is survived by her brother, George. Eleanora loved family time and is survived by her son, Mark Hoffman; daughter-in-law, Patricia Hoffman; and daughter, Donna O’Connor (Joe). She was very proud of her eight wonderful grandchildren – Gerald Hoffman, Jr. (Ashley); Melyssa Rowland (Bryan); Jason Hoffman (Samantha); Trey Kelley; Kayla Tyroch (Danny); Bernadette Jackson (Keith); Dustin Hoffman (Sarah); and Rachel Pierantozzi (Paul). Her latest snuggles came from her nine great-grandchildren Cole; Kyle; Gerald, III; Caroline; Kayce; Mila; Beckett; Harper; and Adalynne.

Eleanora was born in a neighbor’s home in Schulenburg, Texas, and was raised on a farm until her graduation from Schulenburg High School in 1955. She was dedicated to her Shorthorns until she graduated this life. She met the love of her life, Art, at Bill Mraz Dance Hall in Houston and they danced almost every weekend for the next 60 years winning dance contests and leading countless grand marches at weddings. When they weren’t dancing, they were playing “42” with family and friends.

Visitation will be at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home, 13001 Katy Freeway, Houston, on Sunday, July 23, from 5 until 7 pm, followed by the recitation of the Rosary at 7 pm.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, July 24, at 10 am at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 3600 Brinkman, Houston. Christian burial will follow Mass at Memorial Oaks Cemetery.

I am standing upon the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength. I stand and watch her until at length she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other. Then someone at my side says:

“There, she is gone!”

“Gone where?”

Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side and she is just as able to bear the load of living freight to her destined port.

Her diminished size is in me, not in her. And just at that moment when someone at my side says, “There, she is gone!” There are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout: “HERE SHE COMES!”