Winona A. Hoffman

Winona A. Hoffman – 94, a longtime resident of Waterbury Center, passed away at the Central Vermont Medical Center in Berlin on Thursday, June 24, 2010. Born in Waterbury Center on August 31, 1915, she was the daughter of the late Walter J. and Ethel (Morrison) Ayers. On April 5, 1941, she married Elmer P. Hoffman in Waterbury Center. Elmer predeceased Winona on March 2, 1996. Winona was a 1932 graduate of Waterbury High School and continued her education at the Johnson Normal School, graduating in 1934. Winona taught school for two years in Warren and one year on Crossett Hill in Duxbury and then worked as a private housekeeper for several years. Following her marriage, she and Elmer worked together on the former W.O. Comstock Farm in Berlin. Deeply involved in the Waterbury community, Winona worked in the Waterbury Center Library for 14 years, worked for 11 years in the Waterbury Village Library where she also served as the Librarian, retiring on Sept. 19, 1981. Winona served as a Justice of the Peace for 20 years, was a member of the Waterbury Board of Civil Authority, served as a member and president of the former Waterbury PTA and worked on the Waterbury Community Calendar for many years. Her other memberships included the Waterbury High School Alumni Assoc. where she served as Secretary, served one year as President of the Public Library Section of the Vermont Library Assoc., was a member of Waterbury Grange #237, the Waterbury Center Community Church, was a volunteer "red phone operator" for the Waterbury Ambulance Service, and was regionally recognized as the "Birthday and Anniversary Lady" on WDEV for many years. Winona is survived by her daughter-in-law, Cheryl Hoffman of Waterbury Center; her grandchildren, John P. Hoffman, Jr. and his wife, Judy of Keene NH, and Kathleen Ansari of St. Albans; 4 great granddaughters, Beatrice Hoffman, Sola Hoffman, Aliyah Hoffman and Soukaina Jamil; and her sister, Cora A. Howes of Waterbury. Her son, John P. Hoffman, Sr., a sister, Ada Griffin, and a brother, Justin Ayers predeceased Winona. Friends may call at the Perkins-Parker Funeral Home in Waterbury on Monday from 7-9 p.m. Graveside services will be held from the Waterbury Center Cemetery on Tuesday at 11 a.m. The family requests that flowers be omitted; rather memorial gifts would be appreciated to the Waterbury Center Community Church, PO Box 216, Waterbury Center VT 05677, or to Central Vermont Home Health and Hospice, 600 Granger Road, Barre VT 05641 (www.cvhhh.org). To send on-line condolences please visit www.perkinsparker.com.