Carolyn R. Hoffman

Carolyn Ruth Hoffman was called to heaven on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, after a long illness, dying peacefully at home surrounded by family. Carol was born on May 28, 1932, in Berlin, New Hampshire, to Ruth and James Church. She moved to West Carthage, NY, in her early childhood, where she grew up and attended West Carthage High School. She graduated from Mercy Hospital Nursing School in Watertown, NY, in 1953 and began her career as a Registered Nurse at Mercy Hospital.

She fell in love with her big brother’s friend, Harley Hoffman, who was a handsome Naval Academy graduate and Navy pilot. They were married in a snowstorm at St. Patrick’s Church in Watertown, NY, on February 20, 1954, and began a lifelong journey together. They lived the Navy life for 15 years moving frequently and adding to the family along the way. Between 1955 and 1963 they had 6 wonderful children, 3 girls and 3 boys.

In 1966, they made their final move to Ormond Beach, Florida, where Harley contributed to the first moon landing through his work at GE. Carol managed the busy life of raising 6 children, while also being involved in community and church activities. She made sure the Hoffman house was the one that welcomed everyone, so there was always laughter, love and shenanigans. She was involved with all the children’s activities, including scouts, band, swimming, various sports, and organized all the neighborhood holiday parties. Carol was an animal lover, so the house always had at least a few animals, including dogs and cats, and the more unusual pets the kids brought home! Carol was a very talented seamstress, and made beautiful clothes for her family, as well as home décor and Halloween costumes. She was very creative, making all kinds of crafts, and designed and made custom shirts for family reunions and every holiday. She had many hobbies, including running (yes, she ran the Boston Marathon!) reading, Sudoku puzzles, golf, bridge, Mah-Jong and gardening, including maintaining and landscaping her own yard for many years.

People looked for her booth at the Prince of Peace craft fair where she sold her unique Palm Frond creations. She was an active member of the YMCA, Riviera Country Club, and Daytona Beach Track club. She had many friends, and a large and loving family, and their parties and reunions were legendary!

Carol and Harley were founding members of the Prince of Peace Church, where she participated in many of the Women’s Club activities, and served as a Eucharistic Minister for the Sick for several years.

She returned to her nursing career in 1970, at Memorial Hospital in Ormond Beach, working in the inaugural Open Heart ICU, and later in the Quality department. She retired in 1995 to spend more time with grandchildren, take up even more hobbies, and travel with Harley.

Carol was the heartbeat of the family, and made sure the house was a home for all who came through the door. She selflessly gave her love, time and attention to those around her. She had strong faith, and believed that time was precious, and should not be wasted on negativity. She was dedicated to her loving husband, Harley, for 72 years, and together they created strong family bonds in their immediate and very large extended family.

She is preceded in death by her parents, James and Ruth Church, and her brother Jim Church. She will be dearly missed by her family, and is survived by her husband Harley, and her children Nancy Westbrook, Steve Hoffman (Jeanette), Mike Hoffman (Kim), Joe Hoffman (Ginger), Suzanne Kim (Jong), and Patty Fennell (Ed), her niece Charlotte Church (Randy), and grandchildren David Hall, David Westbrook, Katie Westbrook, Carolyn Loesch, Stephanie Reeves, Brandi Hoffman, Jenny Rake, Julie Bhandari, Alex Kim, Sabrina Kim, and Kelsey Erlichman, and 11 great grandchildren, with another one on the way!

A Funeral Mass will be held on June 24, 2026, at 10 AM at Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Ormond Beach, FL, followed by a reception in the Education building. Inurnment will be at the Volusia Memorial Cemetery following the reception.

In lieu of flowers, you can honor Carolyn’s life by making a donation in her name to the Halifax Humane Society.

https://www.halifaxhumanesociety.org/donate-overview/donate-now/

or by mail to Halifax Humane Society, 2364 LPGA Blvd, Daytona Beach, FL 32124