Ruth Mary Hoffman

b. 22 February 1907, d. 14 February 2008

Ruth Mary Hoffman, 1907-2008
Portrait by George Daniel Hoffman, 1956
  • Ruth Mary Hoffman was born on 22 February 1907 in New York.
  • Christian Hoffman and Anna Maria Christina Borth appeared in the US federal census of 15 April 1910 in Buffalo, Erie County, New York, at 756 Glenwood Avenue living not far from Mate's cousin Addie Gaise.. Other members of the household included Ruth Mary Hoffman, Esther Louise Hoffman.
  • The following appeared on 23 August 1910 in The Buffalo Express: Last evening the marriage of Miss Louise Hoffman, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Hoffman of Cherry street, to Mr. Charles O. Oehler was solemnised at the home of the bride, the Reverend C. G. Haas, pastor of the United Evangelical Saint Paul's Church, officiating. The bride, who was given in marriage by her father, wore a gown of white batiste, lace trimmed, and carried a shower bouquet of Bride roses. Miss Helen Oehler of Peoria, Ill., and Miss Ruth Hoffman, the flower girls, carried white asters. Mr. Harry R. Oehler was his brother's best man. Miss Florence Griefenstein played Mendelssohn's Spring Song, following it with the Lohengrin wedding music. Mr. and Mrs. Oehler will be at home at No. 111 Mortimer street after September 1st. No cards.
  • Christian Hoffman appeared in the US federal census of 1 January 1920 in Buffalo, New York, at 756 Glenwood Avenue. Other members of the household included Ruth Mary Hoffman, Esther Louise Hoffman, Christian Charles Hoffman, Edith Dorothy Hoffman, George Daniel Hoffman and Carol Elizabeth Hoffman.
  • Christian Hoffman and Anna Maria Christina Borth appeared in the US federal census of 1 April 1930 in Buffalo, New York, at 756 Glenwood Avenue. Other members of the household included Ruth Mary Hoffman, Esther Louise Hoffman, Christian Charles Hoffman, Edith Dorothy Hoffman, George Daniel Hoffman and Carol Elizabeth Hoffman.
  • She was manager of a cafeteria, according to the 1930 census.
  • The following appeared on 24 July 1955 in the Buffalo Courier-Express: George Dan'l Hoffman's recent one-man art show and song recital at the Twentieth Century Club drew your Good Listener's attention to the exceptionally talented Hoffman family -- six sons and daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Christian Hoffman, 751 Glenwood Ave.
         Christian Hoffman Sr. made his start as a blacksmith, then, changing with the times, became the owner of a garage and repair shop for cars. Although he and his wife were limited in schooling, they encouraged their sons and daughters to develop their abilities through education.
         Their daughter, Ruth, studied home economics at Buffalo State Teachers College, from where she was graduated. She is dietitian at Seneca Vocational High School.
         The second daughter, Mrs. Alfred Schillke of Eggertsville, a graduate of the Buffalo School of Fine Arts, is a former teacher of art in local public schools. Lately, she conducted the art course in the Vacation Bible School of Ascension Lutheran Church, Snyder.
         Christian Hoffman Jr., a graduate of Oswego State Teachers College, is a member of the faculty of Burgard Vocational High School. He has taken graduate courses at the University of Buffalo. The third daughter, Mrs. Carl [E]yring of Arizona, channels her artistic talent in the field of dress designing.
         George Dan'l Hoffman of New York has sung in Carnegie Hall and painted portraits of many outstanding Americans. His study of art, begun at the Buffalo School of Fine Arts, was continued at the Parsons Art School and Cooper Union Institute of New York. Currently he is conducting summer art classes at his Snyder studio.
         Mrs. Henry J[uette] of Snyder, youngest member of the family, made an intensive study of music. She is a church choir soloist, piano teacher, and former president of the Piano Teachers' Forum of Buffalo.
         This family is an excellent example of the opportunities available to Americans possessing talent and the perseverance essential to its development.
  • During May 1956, Christ and Mate Hoffman celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, and family members posed for a group photograph.
  • On 14 July 2002, Ruth Hofman hosted a family gathering of Kammerer & Borth descendants in the social hall of her residence in Amherst (Erie County, New York). More than fifty family members attended from near and far, and all had a lovely time visiting through the afternoon and evening, meeting new cousins and sharing photographs, stories and keepsakes, and enjoying a buffet dinner. At age 95, to no one's surprise, Ruth proved to be the perfect planner and hostess.
    Ruth presiding over her family gathering in July 2002
    Ruth and her cousin Carmen Borth Keene share a moment at the 2002 family gathering
  • On 19 January 2005, Ruth Hoffman wrote to Elsa Vorwerk:
         Dear Elsa, [We] got together last week to watch the tapes with Jack Rutherford. I have wondered why some of the Dexheimer family moved from New York City to Buffalo and others to Philadelphia. Some of the cousins visited the Borth family in 1905 and my parents went there on their honeymoon the next year. Names that I have from early postcards are Whilhamina, Edith and Myrtle Morgan, possibly one of their ancestors was a Dexheimer. Whilhamina stopped in Buffalo in 1928 but I have no more recent records of the family. Among my very early baby cards I found one from Brooklyn, from Louise and Katie Heldt, two maiden cousins. . . . Love, Ruth.
  • At the time of her death Ruth Mary Hoffman was living in Williamsville, Erie County, New York, at Blocher Homes.
  • Ruth Mary Hoffman died on 14 February 2008 at age 100 in Erie County, New York.
  • She was interred at Acacia Park Cemetery, North Tonawanda, Niagara County, New York.
  • The following appeared on 17 February 2008 in The Buffalo News: [Died] Ruth Mary Hoffman, February 14, 2008; of Amherst, NY; daughter of the late Christian and Anna Mary (Borth) Hoffman; aunt of Gretchen J. Carpenter, Katrina S. Wobschall, Peter Schillke, Christian Schillke, Joan Worthington, Judith Hoffman, Michael Eyring, Daniel Eyring, and Paul H. Juette, M.D. A memorial service will be held in spring at a time and place to be announced. If desired memorials may be made to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Buffalo NY or a charity of your choice. Arrangements by the Harry A. Wedekindt Funeral Home Inc.
  • The following appeared on 11 May 2008 in The Buffalo News: Ruth Mary Hoffman of Amherst, NY, died February 14, 2008 at age 100, dear aunt of Gretchen Carpenter, Katrina Wobschall, Peter Schillke, Christian Schillke, the late Lisa Malmin, Michael Eyring, Daniel Eyring, Joan Worthington, Judith Hoffman, the late David Hoffman and Dr. Paul Juette. Miss Hoffman graduated from Masten Park High School in 1925 and from R.I.T. in 1929 and worked as Supervisor of Nutrition in five Buffalo High Schools for 45 years. She traveled widely and enjoyed singing in choral groups. She lived independently until age 98, when she moved to the Blocher Home. Eldest of six children of Christian and Anna Mary (Borth) Hoffman. She outlived Esther Schillke, Christian C. Hoffman, Judith Eyring, George Hoffman and Carol Juette. Ruth was a member of Concordia Lutheran Church and then Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, where a memorial service will be held May 17 at 2 PM in the chapel at 1080 Main St., Buffalo, NY. Memorials may be made to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. Friends invited. Arrangements by Harry Wedekindt Funeral Home, Inc.
  • Ruth Hoffman treasured a small collection of greeting cards and postcards received during her childhood from distant family in Philadelphia, whom she supposed to be Dexheimer descendants: Louisa and Katie Heldt were daughters of Philippina Dexheimer Heldt, and Wilhelmina, Myrtle and Edith Morgan, and Horace Dehler were grandchildren of Philippina's elder sister Magdalena Dexheimer Scheck. Edna Rogers was a niece of Eugene Rogers, husband of Magdalena's daughter Adeline.
  • Last Edited: 11 Mar 2017