Obituary of Joan Denny Hoffman

Joan Denny Hoffman, 96, of Chapel Hill, died on Wednesday, September 18^th, 2024 in her home with her loving daughters at her side.

Joan was born on December 17^th, 1927 in Hartford, Connecticut. She grew up as an only child with her parents, Joseph and Blanche Rosenthal, and her grandmother, Dora (Nama) Cohn. When she was 20, Joan went on a life-changing visit to the Catskills with her Aunt Tilly. According to family lore, she was descending the stairs of Grossinger’s and caught the eyes of a dashing, tall man.  That meeting led to a love affair between Joan and Paul Hoffman that would last 56 years until his death in 2005.

Joan and Paul raised their three children -  Michael, Dori, and Ivy – in Syracuse, New York fostering in them a life-long curiosity for learning and a fierce loyalty to family.

As the children grew up and left the home, Joan and Paul divided their time between Fayetteville, New York and Boca Raton, Florida, eventually moving to North Carolina.

Joan always loved games. She played golf and tennis into her 60s; bridge and Mah Jong into her 80s; and more recently Wordscapes and Rummy 500 on her iPad.   She was just getting the hang of Rummikub.

Joan’s iPad, a gift from her son Michael over a decade ago, was a lifeline for her.  Her iPad enabled her to play her games and watch programs, stay current on the news and stock market, and – more than anything – remain strongly connected to her family through email and FaceTime. One of her absolute favorite things to do was to visit remotely with her twin great-grandsons, Cole and Ben, on the playground, during reading time, and sometimes even when they were taking a bath.

Learning to navigate the world without Joan is her son, Michael Hoffman, daughter-in-law Jane, and granddaughters Daisy Niedbala (Carl), and Katie; daughter Dori Hoffman-Latter, son-in-law Gordon, and grandson Sam (Kristin, Cole and Ben) and grandson Jake; and daughter Ivy Hoffman and daughter-in-law Megan Valentine.

A private family graveside service will be held at two o’clock on Monday, September 23^rd, 2024 at The Hebrew Cemetery, located at 740 1^st Street S, Charlottesville, Virginia, 22902. Rabbi Tom Gutherz will officiate. A shiva minyan will be held at two o’oclock on Sunday, September 29^th at the home of her daughter, Ivy, at 1995 Redbud, Pittsboro, North Carolina, 27312.

In lieu of the customary remembrances, please make contributions to AuthoraCare Collective Hospice, Burlington Campus, 918 Chapel Hill Road, Burlington, North Carolina 27215 or The Cedars Employee Appreciation Fund, 100 Cedar Club Circle, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27517.

May her memory be for a blessing