Barbara C. Hoffman

Barbara Ann (“Abigail”) Cushing Hoffman was born in Meriden, Connecticut, on February 25, 1930, to the late Helen Ryan Cushing and William Joseph Cushing. She was educated in Southington through 8th grade and then attended Lauralton Hall in Milford, Connecticut, graduating in 1948. Barbara then obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in elementary education from Lesley College in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1953, graduating Magna Cum Laude. She earned her Master’s Degree from University of Hartford in 1960.

While obtaining her Master’s Degree, Barbara began her lengthy career as a teacher. She taught in Wallingford for 38 years: Kindergarten, 3rd and 4th grades, finally settling in 5th grade at Highland School for the last 30 years of her working life. She retired in 1991.

Barbara married Richard (“Dick”) L. Hoffman in 1968 in St. Thomas Church in Southington. She and Dick shared a passion for architecture, antiques and history. Together they designed and built their house in Southington, filling it with items they collected. They also shared a passion for books, filling their personal library with classics, biographies and an extensive non-fiction collection.

Among her many interests, Barbara especially enjoyed Wednesday luncheons and lectures at the Madison Beach Club, reading, meeting with her book club, lobster, and the “perfect” Rob Roy. Barbara was a devoted member of Mary Our Queen Parish in Plantsville, CT.

She is predeceased by her husband, one sister, Rosemary Kerfoot, and her brother, William Cushing.

She is survived by her sister Nancy Cushing Ostheimer, of Fort Collins, CO, and many nieces and nephews: Rosemary (Hal) Bohan of Dowling, MI, and their children: David Bohan of Battle Creek, MI; Catherine (Jonathon) Opel of Delton, MI; Barbara (Chris) Carroll of Battle Creek, MI; Stephen (Sarah) Bohan of Charlotte, MI; Matthew (Jenn) Bohan of Springfield, IL; Mark Bohan of Battle Creek, MI; and, Ben Bohan of Battle Creek, MI; Henry (Nancy) Kerfoot of Belize; William (Judith) Kerfoot of Oxford, PA, and their daughters: Rhetta and Katherine Kerfoot of Conowingo, MD; Helen Kresge and her son Conrad of Sarasota, FL; William (Joy) Cushing and their children, Dylan and Holly, of Bristol, CT; Andrew Cushing (Ralph Burr) of Norfolk, CT and San Francisco, CA; Patrick (Mary) Cushing and their daughter Aidan of Sandy Hook, CT; Gretta Cushing and her children Jasmin (“JoJo”) and Maceo Cipriano of Westport, CT; Ellen (Robert) Creagar and their children Molly and Ethan of Torrington, WY; J. Gibson (Debra) Ostheimer of Ranchester, WY and their children: Deja (Zachary) Mettling of Pine City, MN; John Anthony (“Tony”) Ostheimer of Gillette, WY; Caleb (Davin) Ostheimer of Casper, WY; and Hannah Ostheimer of Ranchester, WY; and, William (Tracey) Ostheimer and their children, ViviAnne and Orion of Buffalo, WY.

Barbara and Dick were blessed to have wonderful next-door neighbors, Ron and Ellen Ness, with whom they shared interests, laughs, and many memories. Their daughter, Amanda (Matt) Caron, was an especially important part of Barbara and Dick’s’s life.

Barbara died on October 5, 2022

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, October 8, 2022 at 12 p.m. at St. Thomas Cemetery, Meriden Ave., Southington. Contributions in Barbara’s name may be made to Mary Our Queen Church, 248 Savage St., Plantsville, CT 06479. The DellaVecchia Funeral Home, 211 N. Main St., Southington has been entrusted with the arrangements. For online condolences please visit, www.dellavecchiasouthington.com