Mary Hoffmann Marks

Mimi, the youngest of four children, was born November 3, 1947, in Newark, NJ to William and Mary Angela Hoffmann. She spent her school-aged years in South Orange, NJ before her family moved to Chester, VT. She graduated high school from Convent of the Sacred Heart Eden Hall in 1965 and went on to receive a BA in English from Newton College in 1969 and an MA in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL) from Notre Dame of Maryland University in 2005.

After graduating college, Mimi spent a year in New York City before marrying and starting a family in Fredericksburg, VA. She and her young family spent many of their early years moving about Colorado before settling in Baltimore, MD in 1984. At that time, Mimi joined the Towson Unitarian Universalist Church (TUUC) which became the cornerstone of her social and spiritual life for nearly 40 years. She was a dedicated member, serving in countless volunteer positions including a term as Board President and leader of numerous groups and initiatives impacting the church and community beyond.

Mimi spent most of her career working at McCormick & Co as a travel manager before making a late career shift to pursue teaching English as a second language, which she did with tremendous devotion and in various capacities, including roles with Carroll County Public Schools and Community College of Baltimore County. This vocation was a natural fit for Mimi as it combined her love of language with her strong desire to help others. Mimi went above and beyond in supporting her students inside and outside the classroom; she was viewed as a teacher, mentor, advocate and later, friend, by many.

Mimi was an avid reader, known to always have a book in tow (including as a spectator at sporting events), and a beautiful writer with a rich inner world. She was a deep thinker and approached life and her relationships with curiosity and generosity of spirit. She was also a lot of fun – she was witty, had an easy laugh and didn’t hesitate to let her silly side through. She radiated warmth and kindness and was a bright light to all who knew her. She was beloved and will be greatly missed.

Mimi is survived by her loving children, Adam Marks (Stacie) and Angela Marks (Michael Bruce); four grandchildren, Sophia, Stephanie, Anna Claire, and Gracie; sister and brother in-law, Angela and Paul Coghlan, and sisters-in-law, Robin Hoffmann and Barbara Hoffmann; a niece and seven nephews; former husband, Edward Marks; countless number of adoring friends; and companion, David Chapin. She is pre-deceased by her parents as well as her two brothers, William and Robert Hoffmann.

A Celebration of Life is planned for Saturday, April 29 at 10am at Towson Unitarian Universalist Church, 1710 Dulaney Valley Rd, Timonium, MD 21093.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mimi’s memory to the International Rescue Committee in Baltimore, MD, https://www.rescue.org/united-states/baltimore-md or Earl’s Place at Cornerstone Community Housing, https://cchbaltimore.org/