Rea Hoffman

HOFFMAN, Rea Gornick, passed away peacefully in the early hours of December 12, 2009. Born October 16, 1925 in Philadelphia, Pa. to Sadie and Hyman Gornick, she was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 53 years, Gerald Hoffman; and her brother, Philip Gornick, who gave the full measure of his devotion to our country on June 6, 1944 at Normandy Beach. She is survived by two sisters, Rose Weiss and Lillian Ellendman, both of Philadelphia; one son, Philip B. Hoffman of Richmond and his wife, Lynn, whose loving care for Rea in these final weeks will live in our hearts forever; one daughter, Beverly H. Christian of Richmond, widow of Dr. C.W. Christian; four grandchildren, Marisa D. Hoffman of Houston, Texas, Brett S. Christian and his wife, Amy, of Richmond, Michelle B. Christian of Florida, and Bryan G. Schools of Richmond; five great-grandchildren, Logan, Cole, Maxwell, Zoe, and Lexi; numerous devoted nieces and nephews; Edna Race of Richmond, Va., who was much more than a sister-in-law; and a brother-in-law, Gary Hoffman of Lousianna. As a young lady in Philadelphia, Rea quickly evinced the welcoming friendliness, love of life, and generosity of spirit that would come to define her life, even singing on the radio. Upon her marriage to Gerald, himself the recipient of the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and several air medals for his service in World War II, she moved to Richmond where the family operated Hoffman's Lunches for many years. In the early years, Rea herself could frequently be seen behind the counter. Known to many of her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews simply as Nan, it was often said of Rea that everyone she met became her friend and she made anyone she was with feel like the center of her world. Among her many volunteer activities, she was a lifetime member of Hadassah and worked on behalf of the American Heart Association, the American Lung Association, and the American Cancer Society. The family wishes to acknowledge the lifelong friendship of Ann D. Smith, Joyce Satterwhite, and Jeannie Greenberg, all of Richmond, and pays special thanks to Anita Priddy, RN, retired from St. Mary's Hospital, Pam Lewis, CNA, of Care Advantage, and all the nurses of Bon Secours Home Hospice Care who filled Rea's final days with love. A funeral service will be held 10 a.m. Tuesday at Bliley's - Central, 3801 Augusta Ave. Interment to follow at Westhampton Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to either the Massey Cancer Center (www.massey. vcu.edu), Massey Cancer Center Bone Marrow Transplant Foundation, c/o Dr. John McCarty, 1300 E. Marshall St., Mail Stop 980157, Richmond, Va. 23298, or ASK (www.askweb.org), the Association to Support Children with Cancer at VCU.


This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.