Ethel Mae Hoffman

Mr. Ethel Mae Hoffman, 94, of Thurmont died peacefully at her home on Monday, August 25, 2008. She was the wife of the late Earl Si Hoffman.

Born in Thurmont on December 31, 1913, she was the second of twelve children to Glenna (Weller) and Edgar R. Lewis.

A 1930 graduate of Thurmont High School, Ethel worked for over 25 years as a sales lady at Lewis Cards and Gifts in Thurmont. She was one of the first telephone operators in the Thurmont area.

At her death she was the oldest living member of Thurmont United Methodist Church, where she had served as a Sunday School teacher and for 27 years as the financial secretary. She was a member of Business and Professional Women's Club, a member of the Homemakers Club, and in her spare time loved to work in her garden and cook.

Devoted to her family, church and to helping others, Ethel is survived by her two daughters, Sue Ferguson and husband Robert of Thurmont, and Claudia Carnes and husband Chuck of Fort Worth, TX; a son, James Jim Hoffman and wife Joyce of Frederick; five grandchildren, Steve Ferguson, Lisa George, Kristie Mills, Joanna Barton and Matthew Hoffman; seven great grandchildren; a sister, Janice Cary of Florida; three brothers, Donald Lewis and Raymond Lewis both of Thurmont, and Robert Lewis of Pennsylvania, and many nieces and nephews.

Besides her husband and parents she was preceded in death by her sister Anna, and brothers, Charles, Keefer, Morris, Harold, Harry Buck, and Howard.

Sincere thanks goes out to her faithful care givers, Jean Heims and Bev Lowe and her dear friend and care giver Mary Rice. Also a thank you to Stacy Bowers her hospice nurse for the wonderful medical care she received.

Visitation: The family will receive friends on Wednesday, August 27, from 7 until 9 PM at the Stauffer Funeral Home, 104 E. Main Street, Thurmont, MD.

Services: A memorial service celebrating Ethel's life will be held on Thursday, August 28, 2008 at 1:00 PM at the Thurmont United Methodist Church with Rev.'s Gary Morgan and Matthew Poole officiating.

The family will hold a reception immediately following the service in the church fellowship hall and all are invited.

Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Thurmont United Methodist Church, 13880 Long Road, Thurmont, MD 21788 or to Hospice of Frederick County P.O. Box 1799, Frederick, Md 21702.