Nancy "Jo" Joan Hoffman

Hoffman, Nancy Joan "Jo"

Died peacefully on Wednesday, August 16, 2023.  Jo was born on the "Ides of March" March 15, 1932, in Jackson, MI.  She was the daughter of the late Roy &  Zelma (née Theurer) Van Antwerp who loved her very much and gave her a firm foundation of faith & family values. Together Jo's parents taught her to be an inherently confident & capable individual.  As a youngster she developed a love for reading and was an avid reader throughout her entire life. That skill helped her graduate a year early from Jackson High School in 1949.  Immediately following, she attended Jackson Junior College.  Jo married Ralph J. Hoffman Jr., also of Jackson on November 25th during "the great blizzard of 1950" at Angola, IN.  Together she and Ralph made their home in Jackson and raised their family there.  Jo volunteered for numerous community organizations and events throughout the years.  She enjoyed her tenure at the Woman's Club of Jackson, serving in various capacities.  Jo had a very competitive spirit and loved to play all kinds of board games with her family and friends but "Trivial Pursuit" was by far her favorite. Jo loved doing New York Times crossword puzzles & watching "Jeopardy!" Another favorite, was playing bridge with her many friends and was a member of the Queen's Bridge Club, where she and Ralph won several championships.  Jo was a delightful hostess and loved to entertain.  She gave many parties.  At Christmas-time, her favorite season, Jo shined. She prepared homemade delicacies and decorated the home with finesse. During the 70's Jo was employed by Manpower Services, as a customer service representative before giving it up to be with her family and travel more.

After her husband Ralph's retirement, they stepped up their quest in earnest to see the world.  Together for over 66 years of marriage they managed to travel to all 7 continents and visit over 100 countries. They were thrilled when their children & grandchildren traveled with them to Alaska, Europe and the Caribbean.  It was a great source of happiness for them to plan & explore their next destination.

Jo was preceded in death by her late husband, Ralph J. Hoffman Jr. and son, James Matthew Hoffman.  She leaves behind 2 children, Philip E. (Dennise), and Vanessa G.  Jo dearly treasured her 4 grandchildren, R. Jacob III, Benjamin (Anna), Philip Jr. (Emily) and Emma; 5 great grandchildren; Henry, Felix, Sarah, Ericsson and Ellinore; and many nieces and nephews.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, August 21, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Queen of the Miraculous Medal Catholic Church with Father Timothy MacDonald officiating. A luncheon will follow immediately afterwards.

The family will receive friends at Queen of Miraculous Medal Catholic Church on Monday from 10:00 to 11:00 AM.

In lieu flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Jackson Interfaith Shelter.

Desnoyer Funeral Home
Family Owned for 133 Years