Mae Hoffman

MAE HOFFMAN¸ age 104, born October 29, 1909 and died October 29, 2013.  Mae was born to parents Abraham and Ethel Hoffman (both deceased).  She was predeceased by her siblings Nettie Umans, Joseph and Dr. Henry Hoffman.  Mae is survived by her nieces Barbara Sneiderman of Willmington, NC, Nancy Hoffman of Peaks Island, ME and Barbara Hoffman of Cleveland and by her nephew Stephen Umans of Boston, MA and their families.  Graveside services will be held in Mt. Sinai Cemetery, corner SOM Center and White Rds., Mayfield Village on Friday, November 1 at 11 AM.  Contributions are suggested to the Jewish Federation of Cleveland (www.jewishcleveland.org) ARRANGEMENTS THROUGH BERKOWITZ-KUMIN-BOOKATZ MEMORIAL CHAPEL (800) 448-2210   ------------------------------------------------ Mae Hoffman, passed away today (Tuesday, October 29, 2013) on her 104'th birthday.  A resident of Sherri Park in Lyndhurst since 1971, Mae was born in Wilkes-Barre, PA and moved with her family to Cleveland at the age of 1-1/2.  She graduated from Glenville High School in 1927 and attended Flora Stone Mather College (Western Reserve University) for a year. Due to the depression, she enrolled at Spencerian, a business preparatory school where she studied typing and shorthand with the objective of seeking employment as a stenographer-secretary. After graduation she found that most of the available jobs were closed to Jewish women.  However, after 6 months of unsuccessful attempts to find employment, she received a call from an employment agency with a position available for a Jewish woman at the Cook Coffee company, headed by Max Friedman.  Mae was hired to work directly for Mr. Friedman at an initial salary of $17 per week.  Over time, Cook Coffee grew to encompass the Pick-N-Pay Supermarkets, Uncle Bills and other companies.  Mae's position also grew, in addition to remaining Mr. Friedman's personal secretary, she became Assistant Secretary of the company, in charge of the company financial records.  She remained at the company until her retirement in 1974.  Following her retirement, Mae loved to travel, read and spend time with her family and friends. Mae was pre-deceased by her parents, Abraham and Ethel Hoffman, her brothers Joe and Henry and her sister Nettie (Hoffman) Umans.  She is survived by her nieces Barbara Sneiderman of Willmington, NC, Nancy Hoffman of Peaks Island, ME and Barbara Hoffman of Cleveland and by her nephew Stephen Umans of Boston, MA and their families.