Marise Eaton Hoffmann

Mimi was born in Monroe, LA, the daughter of Marise Dillon Eaton and James B. Eaton, Jr., and spent her teen years in Owensboro, KY. She attended Fontbonne College in St. Louis, MO, where she majored in math. It was at Fontbonne, while attending a fraternity party at a nearby school, that she met a medical school student named Don Hoffmann who would become her loving husband of 66 years.

They were married in 1960, and moved to Auburn, NY, in 1967 after a couple stops along the way (Norfolk, VA, and back to St. Louis) and the addition of three kids—Christopher, Elizabeth, and Peter.

Mimi earned a master’s degree in city planning and environmental design from Cornell University in the 1970s and worked as a director at the Boyle Center senior apartments in Auburn before joining the Auburn Planning Department, where she worked until her retirement.

In addition, Mimi held positions at or dedicated her time and creative energy to various organizations, including the League of Women Voters of Cayuga County (President); the Seymour Library (trustee), the Zonta Club, Schwartz Towers Board, the National Women’s Hall of Fame, Literacy Volunteers of America, and Meals on Wheels. She also co-ran a catering business (“Parties With Panache”).

The Hoffmann family home on Alden Ave. was known for its lovely gardens and the delicious meals and baked goods that Mimi provided. Mimi loved reading and knitting, singing in the St. Mary’s choir, caring for others, winning Scrabble games, hearing from her kids, and welcoming them home with a big hug.

In her manners and occasionally her language, Mimi remained a Southerner. Her trademark Southernisms included “Sweet Pea” or “Sugar” for her kids and grandkids, “Hell’s Bells!” if she got exasperated, or “Skedaddle!” if you were underfoot.

Mimi was a loyal parishioner of St. Mary’s Church in Auburn. She was predeceased by her parents and her brother, Jim, and is survived by her husband, Don, her children Chris (of Freeport, ME), Liz (of Brecksville, OH), and Pete (of Cary, NC), seven grandchildren, one great grandchild, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins, as well as many dear friends.

The family is especially grateful to the Memory Care staff at Waltonwood in Cary and Heartland Hospice who cared for Mimi in her final years.

A funeral service is being planned. Memorial donations in Mimi’s memory may be made to the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina, the Alzheimer’s Association, or Seymour Library.