Mary Ann Hoffa

MARY ANN HOFFA

October 1, 1920 – December  25, 2020)

Devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Mary passed away peacefully on Christmas Day morning from natural causes at the Chateau Valley Center assisted living facility in Renton as a centurion, having just turned 100 in October!  She was the oldest and last surviving sister of four first generation daughters of Pasqual and Maria Ramaglia.  

Mary grew up in the Mt. Baker neighborhood in Seattle and attend Immaculate high school. Mary met Earl Hoffa at a ballroom dancing class where he was the instructor and (literally) sweep her off her feet.  Soon after, Mary received early morning surprise visits from Earl at her bus stop before she boarded her ride to school, and that courtship led to riding in a motorcycle club, more dancing, and eventually a wedding in 1941, and a son, Daniel, in 1944.

Mary seemed to have limitless energy; she enjoyed dancing, socializing with friends and neighbors, puzzles, card games and watching TV game shows, especially Jeopardy – her grandkids thought she should have been a contestant!  Her career involved initially working as a bookkeeper for doctors in the medical community and then at Zukor’s and Taylor’s, both women’s clothing apparel stores in downtown Seattle for several years before retiring in 1985. 

Upon retirement, she continued to be highly active in volunteer work which had started in her earlier years with PTA, scouting, the Beacon Hill Neighborhood Association and the March of Dimes.  Mary spent many hours volunteering her time at the Pacific Medical Center (formerly known as the Marine Hospital) on Beacon Hill and was also involved with numerous charities, most notably Multiple Sclerosis.  Beginning in the early 70’s she became involved in several internal and outreach ministries at St Peter’s Catholic church until she had to move from her Beacon Hill home to assisted living.  In addition to her volunteer and charitable activities, Mary was a long-standing member of YLI, a Catholic women’s service organization, as well as multiple Italian heritage civic clubs, including Sons of Italy, the Italian Club, and others. 

She was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, Earl, in 2010 and is survived by her son Dan and his wife Barbara, of Portland, three grandchildren and four great grandchildren.  A graveside service for family members will be held at Holyrood Cemetery.  Remembrances can be sent to St. Peter’s Catholic church in Seattle.Please share your memories of Mary by signing her online guest book.