Mary Wilda Hofman

February 13, 1918 ~~~ September 25, 2012

Born in Cross Plains, Texas, Wilda was a beloved child and a lifelong proud Texan. She said that her parents spoiled her, buying candy for her when money was tight and making white bread for her when everyone else had to eat the cheaper cornbread. She refused to attend kindergarten because she wanted to be home with her mama, but when she did attend, she was at the top of her class with a strong and inquisitive mind.

Wilda was a preacher’s daughter. She grew up a Southern Baptist in 1920s Texas and while faithful, she decided that some of those stringent rules, such as no movies, no dancing, and no card playing, were surely meant to be broken. When she became a teenager, her only sister Esther, 14 years her senior, would invite her over on weekends to go out “honkytonkin”. She loved her sister’s three daughters who became more like sisters to her as they grew, building strong ties in the Rogers family.

In 1938 Wilda met her husband, Roy, when applying for her first job as a teacher in Portales, New Mexico. A year later, at only 21, she already had heavy responsibilities… debt from her father’s funeral, and a need to support her mother and herself. So, when Roy first proposed, himself a new college student whose only income was gas money from driving other kids to school, she turned him down. She finally gave in though, and they married in December.

In 1941, they migrated to San Diego with their first child, Willena. By 1944, their family included Wayne and Roy was drafted. Wilda worked during WWII at Convair while her mother cared for the children. She later nursed Roy back to health when he returned from overseas with malaria. In the 1950s, while working at J.C. Penny, along came a surprise, Barbara, and just 19 months later, along came Betty.

In the fall of 1958, Wilda was enrolling Barbara in kindergarten while Willena was enrolling at San Diego State College. The following years were filled with Sigma Kappa Mothers’ Club, learning to sew to keep up with clothing needs of a college student and her friends, two little girls, and Barbie dolls. The Hofman family expanded again to include lots of sorority sisters.

In 1962, the first grandbaby, Cassie, was born. There was never a more proud grandmother! Her arms expanded to include twins, Sharla and Sherri, and then Steve, Stephanie, Tyler, Christie, Cherith, and Tom. How fortunate she was to watch them all grow. Regular grandmother activities included Bobby Sox, Moto Cross, Junior Theatre, Little League, graduations, weddings, and great grandchildren… Kelsee, A.J., Megan, Harlee, Blaine, Brooke, Desiree, Allyson, Erik, Finn, and Kiera. Wow!

In her fifties, Wilda decided to take an H & R Block tax preparation course. At 84, she finished her longest career as an Enrolled Agent, preparing income tax returns annually for over 100 clients, who too, were treated just like family.

Besides her devotion to family, Wilda enjoyed black jack and the cabin with her Belsnyrobhof friends, traveling with her Quarter Century Club friends, and Las Vegas. Slot machines were her favorite and some of you know she could stay up all night if she had a “good” machine. She loved chocolate, Chanel No.5 and dancing to country western music. And of course, she loved Roy.

Wilda will always be Roy’s sweetheart. He wants you all to know that he always considered her an equal partner. She meant the world to him, and together they made a great team. They shared a wonderful life together, full of joy and commitment.

Wilda will also always be Mom, Hootenanner, Grandmother, GG, sweet Aunt Wilda and a dear friend to multitudes. Her love of family was boundless and everyone she met was welcomed into her family with hugs, a fabulous smile, great food, and great parties.

This is just a glimpse into a life well-lived, an inspiration for us all.