Marguerite Florence Hofferber completed her amazing life of 101 years peacefully on the clear, early morning of March 19. She was a proud independent woman of the depression with a can-do attitude! She was a generous, positive, leader that was a role model inspiring everyone around her.
She was born November 26, 1917, the middle child of Kenneth Harrison and Laura Walker Williams. She attended the University of Nebraska for three years with the intention of becoming a teacher until wedding bells called in 1939. After being married in Lincoln, Nebraska, Marguerite and Harold moved to southern California where their two children were born. Moving to Northeast Portland when their children started school, Marguerite pursued a full time career as a school secretary and then became a Closing Coordinator for S. J. Pounder Real Estate in the Hollywood area.
At the same time Marguerite and Harold soon became involved with the International Lions Clubs, becoming charter members (1952) in the neighborhood Wellington Park Lion’s Club and the Lions’ Auxiliary. They spent their years in numerous activities, volunteering in a variety of ways. Marguerite took on many leadership positions. She held every office in her Auxiliary, as well as in other clubs, as well as Oregon State Lion’s Auxiliary President. She was the first woman in Oregon invited to join a Lions Club (all male at the time in 1988) and was “flabbergasted” to think she had been elected in! As a Trustee on the Lions Sight and Hearing Board, she was encouraged to run for the chairwoman position. She did and won, becoming the Lion’s Sight and Hearing Foundation first Chairwoman! She enjoyed her travels to China, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Mexico supporting the international Lions meetings.
Her numerous awards and recognitions in her career and volunteer work included becoming the first woman inducted into the Sight and Hearing Foundation’s Inaugural Hall of Fame, the Helen Keller Award, and the Visionary Award for the Lions Eye Bank (500 hours as an eye courier). She was a lifetime member of Friendship Rose, Eastern Star, on the election board, PTA President, SMART reader, Curves Fitness member, and a Calvary Presbyterian Church member for 65 years.
Between her extended family and her Lions friends, Marguerite remained incredibly active into her 90’s, with volunteerism taking up a lot of her time. She was happiest with her family whom she supported and was active in their activities and sports. She played with them in Sunriver and Seaside. Her many interests included parties, dancing, bowling, golfing, berry picking, swimming, beachcombing, traveling, puzzles and reading.
Her husband Harold and her brothers, John and Joe, predeceased her. Survivors include her daughter, Lynette Hofferber Doht (Dennis), son, Jim Hofferber (Darlynn), and beloved “Grammy” to granddaughters, Angela Doht Nelson, Karlyn Doht-Barron, Jessica Hanson (Mike), great-grandchildren, Kaileyann Doht, Joshua Nelson, Lakely and Carson Doht-Barron, and Camyrn and Addyson Hanson. The family expresses a special thank you for the loving care and kindness shown by her caregivers, Ana and Sherry, as well as to the compassion shown by Noel, Adam and Brie from Hospice.
The family held a Graveside service on Saturday, March 30, at Rose City Cemetery. A celebration of life will be held at the Hollywood Senior Center, 1810 NE 40th, Portland on Saturday, April 20, 1:00-3:00 P.M. The family gratefully requests in lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Marguerite’s name to the Oregon Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation, 1010 NW 22nd Ave., Portland, OR, 97210.
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