Cora Jean Hoffay

Hoffay, Cora Jean SAND LAKE Cora Jean Bonesteel Hoffay, 92, died peacefully at home on Thursday, September 15, 2016, surrounded by her family. Born on February 14, 1924, in Troy, she was the daughter of the late Millard and Adellia King Bonesteel. She was predeceased by her husband, Richard W. Hoffay in 1983; her daughter, Anna Hoffay Gaylord in 2010; her son, John R. Hoffay in 2014; and her sister, Mildred Bonesteel Murray in 2001. She is survived by her sons, William H. Hoffay and Robert D. (Janet) Hoffay, both of West Sand Lake; her daughter, Martha Hoffay (Peter) Plante of Walnut Creek, Calif.; and son-in-law James A. Gaylord of Delanson. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Richard Gaylord, Jennifer Gaylord (James) Daly, Erin Hoffay, Richard (Laura) Hoffay, Megan Hoffay, Nicole Hoffay and Dena Whitesell (Adam) Vogt plus seven great-grandchildren. Cora grew up at Snyders Corners and graduated from Averill Park High School in 1942. Before marrying Richard in 1945, she worked as a secretary for Faith Mills in Averill Park then as a secretary and bookkeeper for Montgomery Ward in Menands. Shortly after they were married, Cora and Richard began building Hoffay Farms on Sheer Road in West Sand Lake. Alongside Richard, Cora became a farmer in every way, feeding animals, milking cows and even driving tractor on occasion. She was also the farm's secretary, banker, bookkeeper and tax preparer, and doing all this while being a full time housewife and raising five children. She has been a life-long member of Trinity Lutheran Church, having taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School for many years, and she served on the church council. Cora reared her five kids through multiple 4-H projects and was a 4-H leader. She also taught quilting at the Rensselaer Senior Center and for the last several years has knitted dozens of mittens for needy children in the Averill Park School District, Trinity Lutheran Church and St. Jude's Church. Cora's other volunteer contributions include, being a delegate to Easter Milk Producers statewide meetings, board member of Farmer's Home Loan Association, Sand Lake Town Planning Board, Rensselaer County Cooperative Extension and Rensselaer County Home Bureau. For the past two and a half years, due to her failing health, Cora has made her home on Cranberry Way in Taborton where she has received compassionate and loving care from Michelle Hoffay Larson and her husband, Dallan; and their children, Ayanna, Maria and Isaac. The family is eternally grateful to them for the extraordinary care, love and support Cora received. Relatives and friends may call at the DeGraaf-Bryce Funeral Home, Inc. 4392 Rte. 150 West Sand Lake on Sunday, September 18, 2016, (today) from 3-5 p.m. The funeral service will be held on Monday at 10 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church Route 4363 Rte. 150 West Sand Lake with Reverend Lauretta Dietrich, officiating. Interment will be in Elmwood Cemetery West Sand Lake. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in memory of Cora Hoffay to the Sand Lake Veterans Memorial, 171 Biittig Road, Averill Park, NY 12018. To sign the guest book, light a candle or for service directions, visit http://brycefh.com".

DeGraaf-Bryce
Funeral Home, Inc.
4392 Rte. 150 (W. Sand Lake Rd)
West Sand Lake, New York