Mary Catherine (Fitzgerald) Hoffmann

Mary Catherine Fitzgerald Hoffmann Age 76, died on December 8, 2020. She was born on June 9 1944 in Somers Point New Jersey to William J. & Catherine M. (Lenahan) Fitzgerald. She was a graduate of Marian (College) University. Mary Catherine worked as the long-time director of the Crisis & Suicide Intervention Service, a program of the Mental Health Association of Marion County. Preceded in death by her parents, brother Michael Fitzgerald and son Luke Hoffmann. Survived by brother John Fitzgerald, children Jennifer (Rick) Randol, Michael (Bernadette) Hoffmann and Matthew Hoffmann. Eight grandchildren Taylor Randol, Luke Randol, Gabriella Hoffmann, Abigail Hoffmann, Alexander Hoffmann, Ava Hoffmann, Allister Hoffmann and Dexter Hoffmann. Throughout her years of work in the social services field, Mary Catherine helped thousands of people in their time of need. She started as a volunteer with the Crisis & Suicide Hotline and quickly moved up to be a supervisor and trainer. When they offered her a paid position as the director, she couldn’t believe they were going to pay her for doing what she loved. She became a sought-after expert in her field and was often interviewed on radio and TV. She served on numerous boards and task forces. Her many years of volunteering earned her recognition from many institutions including the mayor’s office and the White House. She was a great proponent of education and a life-long scholar. She worked as an educator through her role of trainer for the hotline volunteers and created a robust training program for the volunteers. Mary Catherine not only trained the volunteers for Marion County but many other counties throughout the state. She also spent countless hours tutoring her children and grandchildren at the kitchen table. She had such patience when teaching. Most knew her as Mary Catherine, some as Mary, but her favorite names were Mom, Grandma, G-ma or just G. She felt that one of the advantages of living into your golden years is getting to see your children as adults. She was always so grateful to be around to witness the “proof of the pudding.” She admired what fine people her children were and the love and commitment they had for their own families. Mary Catherine felt that the grandparent business was good, no heavy lifting or responsibility there, just lots of love, talking, and games. She said to let their parents worry about the serious stuff. Grandma was to be only about the good times! Her favorite pastimes were reading and gardening. She was an avid reader and loved a good mystery novel. She spent innumerable hours in the yard planning, planting, and nurturing her hostas and impatiens. She was a wonderful, lovely sister, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend who will be missed greatly. In Lieu of flowers donations can be made to the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention or the Dayspring Center. A service is planned for a later date, please check the obituary periodically for updates.