Isobel Hoffman

HOFFMAN, Isobel….

Isobel Hoffman (nee Porteus), formerly of Kitchener-Waterloo, passed away peacefully, on Monday, November 16, 2020 in her 95th year in London. Isobel was born in Chesley, ON and was the only daughter of Andrew Porteus and Laura Lamont. She grew up in Ripley and graduated high-school there before attending Normal School in Hamilton. Her first teaching job was a one room school in Bruce Co., not the easiest of first jobs. She then moved to Kitchener and taught at Prueter Public School. It was in Kitchener she met her future husband, Keith. They were married there in 1954 and settled down to raise their three daughters. Keith’s job soon had them moving to various towns in Ontario and finally to St. John’s, NL. This turned in to a stay of over ten years until another move, to Ottawa.

Isobel loved her time in St. John’s, making many cherished friends. She was a member of Wesley United Church, Sorority and volunteered with the Vera Perlin Society. After returning to Ontario Isobel made many trips back to NL to see friends and family and enjoy the beautiful landscapes she loved. Loving thoughts go out to her dear friends there, Mona and Nellie.

Throughout her life, Isobel was a creative person. She painted oils and watercolours, did pottery and became an accomplished china painter. She taught her daughters to sew, crochet and embroider. She passed on her artistic genes to all three daughters. After their time in Ottawa, Isobel and Keith returned to Kitchener for retirement, reconnecting with old friends. They enjoyed being in the Waterloo region, close to Isobel’s Bruce Co. roots.

Isobel was immensely proud of her daughters and always supported their endeavours, delighting in their accomplishments. She was always happy to hear what her four grandchildren were up to and see them grow into adulthood. And when three great-grandchildren arrived, this was the icing on her life’s cake. Isobel had a wry sense of humour and she appreciated it in others. She had a keen interest in politics, reading two papers a day, magazines and yards of books over the years. She would often threaten to write to politicians to offer helpful suggestions to improve their decision making. Isobel and Keith were able to travel all over the world for his job which fulfilled her love of history, art and new landscapes.

Isobel is survived by her dear husband Keith and three daughters: Laurie (David Dempster) of St. John’s, NL, Merrilee (Evan Chase) of London and Jennifer (Randy Thompson) of Rocky Harbour, NL. She is also survived by her beloved grand children Laurie (Johanna), Zoe (Michael), Benjamin and Maren and the precious great-grandchildren Robert, Isobel and Sylvia. Isobel was a loving Mother, wife and Nana, her daughters are so thankful to have had such a wonderful Mom who nurtured them in childhood and guided them in to the world, teaching by example, the lessons of kindness, empathy and generosity.

A private family funeral service will be held. All those attending the funeral home are required to wear masks and follow COVID-19 protocols. Interment in Woodland Cemetery, Kitchener. Donations in Isobel’s memory may be made to Plan International Canada, 300-245 Eglinton Avenue East, Toronto, ON M4P 0B3. Arrangements entrusted with A. Millard George Funeral Home, 519-433-5184. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com