Mary Edel "Hofmann" Holtschneider
Mary Edel "Hofmann" Holtschneider
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Mary Holtschneider Obituary
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Durham, NC: formerly of Greece, NY. Mary's family is heartbroken to announce Mary unexpectedly passed away suddenly September 1, 2025, at age 62.
Mary was predeceased by her grandparents; her parents, Robert and Jean Marie Hofmann; brother, Brian Hofmann.
Mary is survived by her loving husband, David; sister, Therese (Judy Stoessel) Hofmann; brother, Martin Hofmann; sister Elaine (Mark) Hiscock; nephews, Christopher (Renee) Hiscock, Eric (Lindsay) Hiscock; great nieces and nephews, Blake, Blaire, Austin, Brielle and Jaeden.
Mary is survived by her sister-in-law, Beth (Daren) Olsen; nieces, Nicole and Paige Olsen; nephew, Andrew (Kiana) Olsen; great-nieces, Brielle and Brayla.
In addition, Mary is survived by many cherished friends from childhood to present day.
Mary was a graduate of St. Charles Borromeo grammar school and Cardinal Mooney High School. She attended American University and after graduation was chosen to serve as a Presidential Management Intern at NASA. Mary attended the University of North Carolina for nursing (where she worked at the burn center). Mary had degrees and certifications in nursing and education: MEd, MPA, BSN, RN, NPDA-BC, NPD-BC, NREMT-P, CPTD.
Mary was deeply respected for her remarkable career as a nurse and nursing educator in the Raleigh Durham Health Community and for her profound dedication to improving healthcare systems and mentoring the next generation. Mary authored numerous publications that became valuable resources in the field. Mary also held leadership positions in many professional organizations.
Mary lived life to its fullest. She made friends everywhere she went. Mary and her husband Dave were avid glass blowers (hot shop, kiln, flame working, neon, and scientific). Other adventurous pursuits include hang gliding, kayaking, ham radio, caving, scuba diving, certified rotary wing pilot in single engine piston helicopters, white water rafting, rock climbing, and fishing were just a 'few' of her many pursuits. Mary and Dave had a deep interest in optical and radio astronomy and traveled to Chile with Sky and Telescope. Mary also loved golfing and would enjoy helping at many golfing events, loved attending concerts, the Savanah Bananas and thrifting. Additionally, Mary was a paramedic and certified Pilates instructor.
Friends may call Monday from 4:00-7:00 pm at DiPonzio Funeral Home, Inc., 219 Spencerport Road, Gates. On Tuesday, Sept. 9, all are invited to attend her Funeral Mass at 10:00 am at St. Charles Borromeo Church, 3003 Dewey Ave. Interment, Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.
Mary will be deeply missed. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mary's memory to Corning Museum of Glass, https://give.cmog.org.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Jennifer Spencer
October 15, 2025
I did Mary´s hair for the last few years and just found out about her passing. She was such a positive light and I always enjoyed chatting about life with her. She will definitely be missed
Mark Freeze
October 10, 2025
David, I am shocked to find out about Mary's passing. I will miss seeing and talking to her at hamfests. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Ogo Udemadu
September 22, 2025
Mary was full of life. She was always willing to teach others. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.
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Lauren M
September 16, 2025
Mary was my favorite Pilates instructor. Her positive energy was contagious. She will be greatly missed!
Janel Norris
September 16, 2025
I am so sad to hear about Mary's unexpected passing. Her passion for nursing education was evident. She will be deeply missed. My sincere condolences go out to her family, friends, and colleagues.
Tamara Mangum
September 16, 2025
Mary was kind with a gentle soul, and her smile brightened the room. I remember the first time we met 15 years ago; her warmth and joy have remained a constant, never fading. My heart goes out to her family during this difficult time. May God strengthen and comfort everyone.
Alissa Portenier
September 16, 2025
Mary lead a life full of laughter and adventure. Her legacy is in all the lives that she touched. She will be missed. Peace to her family and friends who will keep her vibrant memory alive.
Tina Castelein
September 11, 2025
My deepest condolences to Mary's family. Mary was the kindest, most caring person. She really helped me a lot in the simulation lab at Duke. I am grateful for my time with her.
Mya Khine (Club Pilates at West Cary)
September 11, 2025
My deepest sympathy to the family. Mary was one of the best pilates instructors and everyone's favorite. Hands-on corrections and extra supports to everyone. You will be missed and always be in our hearts.
David & Natasha Hooker
September 10, 2025
Mary was such a light! So positive and caring, she will be missed deeply.
Morgean Hirt
September 10, 2025
Mary was a very enthusiastic volunteer with the Association for Talent Development (ATD) and a strong advocate for her Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD) credential. She was a favorite volunteer in our certification booth at ATD conferences, bringing her joyful spirit and bubbliness with her. Mary was quick to offer advice to those interested in certification and to encourage them to pursue certification. We also often called upon Mary as an item writer for our exams. She was knowledgeable and no nonesense in her writing and review and could always be counted on to understand the assignment. She will be very much missed and fondly remembered.
Stephanie Brogdon
September 10, 2025
Geoff Hom
September 9, 2025
Leslie Hicks
September 9, 2025
To all of Mary's family, I am so very sorry for your loss. I knew Mary through the NC Nurse's Association and through Duke. We never worked together but attended many events and educational offerings together. She was a dedicated nurse and educator who offered much to her colleagues, patients, and friends. Please know that she will be missed by so many people.
Leslie Hicks
Leanna Bonczkowski
September 9, 2025
I know Mary from ANPD. I was privileged to work alongside her as a Cert Prep instructor and interacted with her at various ANPD functions. Seeing the photos that have been posted remind me of her vibrance and joyful spirt. She will be deeply missed.
Velda Lauretta Holmes
September 9, 2025
To the family, may your fondest memories of Mary sustain you now in your time of sorrow.
Velda Holmes
Stephanie Brogdon
September 9, 2025
Mary had a profound impact on my nursing career, and on the many lives she touched as a nurse and as an educator. Above all, Mary was a kind and compassionate person, whose love for life and passion for nursing left an indelible mark on the world. I am so sorry to hear of her passing. Sending light and love to all her family and friends.
Theresa McGuire - Fellow ANPD Cert Prep Instructor
September 9, 2025
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
Cindy Foster
September 9, 2025
Mary and I became friends when hosting East Coast Game Conference. She was a terrific supporter of the event and always anxious to help out. Prayers for peace to her family.
David Adriansen
September 9, 2025
Warmest memories and condolences to Dave and family. I had the honor of knowing Mary as a colleague and friend over the past decade at the VA. She was a stellar mentor, educator and simulation expert who shared her knowledge, experience and soul with everyone she met. We all have been blessed from knowing Mary.
Justin Simonson
September 8, 2025
Mary was an absolute pleasure to work with at GDC. She always made it easier to smile, and the space around her felt lighter. She will be incredibly missed.
Kirby Weber
September 8, 2025
Mary was an absolute joy to be around. I met her while working together at multiple Game Developer Conferences. I think about advice she gave me on practically a daily basis. She was brilliant and a person you always looked forward to seeing again.
Julie Miller
September 8, 2025
I knew Mary through AACN and ANPD, She will be deeply missed. Her contributions have been many.
Camella Marcom
September 8, 2025
So very sorry to hear of Mary´s passing. I enjoyed working with her and looked forward to seeing her whenever it was possible. Bless our sweet memories of this wonderful soul.
Rob Tobin
September 8, 2025
I worked with Mary at Duke. She was such a bright light, and her positivity and can do attitude were inspiring to all that were lucky enough to have spent time with her. Such a long, long time to be gone and a short time to be there.
Bruce Fong
September 8, 2025
I met Mary many times at a conference we both attended and she was always friendly, helpful, knowledgeable and jovial. Her kind demeanor was so welcome when things were overwhelming.
Liana
September 8, 2025
My sincere condolences to David and the entire family. Mary was a colleague in the department of education at the Durham VA, and I had the pleasure of working with her for the past six years. Mary was a vocal advocate of education and nursing education in particular. Her contributions to interdisciplinary education were significant, and many benefited from her enthusiasm, passion, and expertise.
Tracy Newbold
September 8, 2025
My 14 year old daughter and Pilates student, Sydney Tomhave, and Mary shared a very special bond as both had experienced resuscitation. We loved getting to know Mary and learned that she and my husband, Eric Tomhave, had both been part of the Parkwood Fire Department many years ago. We feel incredibly lucky to have crossed paths in life. I cannot imagine the feeling of loss for her loved ones. Please know that Mary's spirit will live on through so many people whose lives she touched and uplifted.
Kaye Richardson
September 8, 2025
I was stunned to read of Mary's passing. I knew and worked with Mary in the ACU at Duke Medical Center. I learned so much from her. She always had a smile.
She will be missed by all who knew her.
RIP Mary. The world has lost someone special.
Kaye Richardson
Jason Wiser
September 8, 2025
For many years I had the great pleasure of serving with Mary at the annual Game Developers Conference in San Francisco. She was always a bright light among the many extraordinary people there-- calm in crisis, invariably kind, and a constantly delightful person. Wishing sincere condolences to her family. May her memory be a blessing.
Pat
September 8, 2025
I worked with Mary when she was a nurse in the ACU(3200) at Duke Univ. She left Duke to take a position at the Durham VA and we remained friends even after she left Duke. When I would see her, she always had a beautiful smile and conversations longer than we both had time to have, but it was always great to catch up with each other. Mary was a wonderful loving and real friend and person. When I met Mary she touched my heart and felt her love and saw how she treated everyone with kindness and gratitude. I´m African American and she always gave me a hug and showed love for me which she did with everyone.She was a great nurse and I know her nursing impact will continue to live on. I will miss her and I send my condolences to her family. I pray your hearts will be lifted up during this time and just knowing what a beautiful person Mary was will give you comfort.
A friend and colleague (3200)
Pat Mckoy
Rebecca Long
September 7, 2025
Dave and family, I am so very sorry at the loss of Mary. She was a special person in my life. I remember her visiting me two days after my total knee replacement and inspired me to do some Pilates movements for rehab. I knew Mary through AACN and she was always a wonderful colleague and friend. She inspired many and the VA was so fortunate to have her. I will miss her. Sudden deaths are hard for those left behind. We know that Mary lived her life full of joy and giving to others. I pray that all of you can find peace and can look forward to seeing her again.
Henry Meredith
September 7, 2025
I came to know Mary through the GDC Conference Associate Program. Mary was full of life and set an example for the kind of servant leader I aspire to be. I will miss her dearly. 'So CA We All!'
Elke Lindemann
September 7, 2025
Mary was my most enthusiastic and positive Pilates instructor! I will miss her deeply and she will be painfully missed at Club Pilates! My deepest condolences go out to her husband David and the rest of her family!
Mary
September 7, 2025
Had the good fortune of knowing Mary thru AACN. Am so sorry for your loss.
Caryl Goodyear
September 7, 2025
Dave and family,
I was one of many nurse friends Mary had all over the U.S. I was blessed to meet Mary as we started on the AACN board of directors together along with Nancy Blake (California) and John Dixon (Texas). Mary was a powerhouse of enthusiasm for everything nursing and educating. She was an inspiration for many nurses. Her experience of sudden death gave her more fuel to connect with others and live life to the fullest. She will be dearly missed in our nursing community.
Hugs to all of you. I´m sending my best love and prayers as you walk this path of memory and grieving.
Caryl Goodyear (Missouri) (formally Caryl Goodyear-Bruch)
Joanne Kuszaj
September 7, 2025
Sending sincere condolences & prayers to Mary's husband, Dave & to her family. I always enjoyed working with Mary through AACN local chapters in Raleigh & Durham. She always greeted me & others with smiles & her enthusiasm for nursing was clearly seen. I know she will be greatly missed.
Nick Bermes
September 7, 2025
Mary was a bright light in the CA program, she cared for it so deeply and we were always happy whenever she was around. As someone who got to work closely with her during that week, I always enjoyed our conversations and chances to talk. We´re going to miss you dearly Mary, the lounge won´t be the same without you.
Maxine Rehder
September 7, 2025
I am at a loss for words - we knew each other for many years, and shared a passion for BLS/ACLS after her cardiac arrest as I am also a survivor of sudden cardiac death. I will never forget her returning to work at the Durham VA and her poor long hair was in a huge knot from her time in the hospital. I worked on her hair for hours - she eventually let me cut it...which was a tough step for her. It made such an impact on me the way she embraced that change and continued her life with a fearless enthusiasm. Her energy was contagious, she was an incredible nurse and a wonderful human being. So sorry to see she has passed - condolences to her family and many friends.
debbie laughon
September 7, 2025
What a honor to have known Mary! Mary has left a legacy of knowledge to support nurses and healthcare across the globe. She had so many special talents, especially as a teacher and leader of professional development for nursing. She will be missed! Thoughts and prayers to friends and family!
Deb Laughon
Lakeland Fl
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