MaryAnn Hoffman Obituary

MaryAnn Hoffman (nee Hartmann) of Downers Grove, IL, passed away peacefully on August 11th, just shy of her 81st birthday. MaryAnn was born and raised in Evansville, IN, where she attended grade school at St. Benedict's and high school at the Academy of Immaculate Conception in Ferdinand, IN. She later married and moved to Ft. Wayne, IN, in the 1950s and eventually to suburban Chicago in the early 1960s, where she raised her family and became involved in a wide variety of creative passions and interests. MaryAnn was a feisty and spirited woman to all who knew her. She designed and created dresses for many an anxious bride-to-be and their bridesmaids. She was a fashion and jewelry designer, a seamstress and a craftswoman. She was a "fashionista" in her own time. MaryAnn volunteered her time to educate women on the fashion industry at church groups throughout the Chicagoland area. She also volunteered her time to make hats for preemie cancer patients. She collected everything from pinecones to fabric and yarn to antiques and everything else in between. Her "Saks Fifth Avenues" were local Salvation Army resale stores and antique shops. There are three words that sum up MaryAnn: independent, creative and unique. She was a wonderful mother and a caring friend to many. The good times with her will be remembered by all; she will be terribly missed and thought of often. Mary Ann was the loving mother of Jeffrey (Deborah), Kathleen, Terrence (Linda) and Scott; nani of Julianne (Tim), Matthew, Kaylen (Pete) and Emilia; and great- grandmother of Makinlee. She was the loving daughter of Joseph (deceased) and Margaret Hartmann (nee Nurrenbern, deceased); sister of Martha Jean Deuerling (Bill, deceased), Norbert Hartmann (Mary Ellen), and Joseph Hartmann (Linda). In addition she was the aunt of many nieces and nephews in the Hartmann and Hoffman families. There will be no visitation, but a memorial mass will be celebrated in her honor by Father Tony Taschetta on Saturday, Sept. 24, 10 a.m., at Mary Queen of Heaven Catholic Church in Elmhurst, IL (426 N. West Avenue, Elmhurst IL 60126). In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be mailed to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Greater Illinois Chapter, 525 W. Monroe Street, Suite 900, Chicago, IL 60661-9969. Donate online at http://www.nationalmssociety.org/chapters/ild/donate/index.aspx or by phoning 312-423-1174. Please reference "In memory of MaryAnn Hoffman" in your gift.