Isabelle Hoffman

Elizabeth Isabelle Hoffman

We are saddened to announce the passing of Elizabeth Isabelle Hoffman, at the age of 98, on April 19, 2020. Isabelle, as she preferred to be called (heaven forbid you ever called her Elizabeth), was born to William and Ethel Palmer on August 25, 1921, in Empress, Alberta. She grew up on the family farm in the Gorefield district, 23 miles southwest of Eatonia. She had many wonderful childhood memories, which she shared with her older brother John and younger sisters Kathleen and Gladys. She fondly remembered happy times together of picnics down at the river by the Ironside Ranch and visiting with neighbours.

Isabelle and John started grade one at Highbury School and then transferred to Gorefield school where her mother taught and her younger sisters began their education. At the age of 16, Isabelle moved to Ontario to stay with a cousin in Oshawa. There she finished her Grade 12 at the Oshawa Collegiate. She then enrolled in Victoria College, University of Toronto, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in English and History. Upon graduating she came back to Saskatchewan and took a year of teacher training at the College of Education in Saskatoon. She taught in numerous schools including Snipe Lake, Mervin, Lloydminster, Unity, Melfort and Estevan. During those years she became an enthusiastic curler and took a keen interest in golfing. In the late 50's she bought her first car. It was a beautiful blue Pontiac, which she drove, along with three of her friends, to Boston, New York and Chicago. Imagine, four prairie girls travelling to three of the biggest cities in the United States! Talk about having nerve and a sense of adventure; back when a trip from Eatonia to Saskatoon was considered a major outing! Hard to believe this was accomplished without the use of cell phones and GPS!

1962 was a banner year for Isabelle. She received her second degree, Bachelor of Education, from the University of Saskatchewan majoring in Home Economics. On August 3rd of that year she married Oscar Hoffman and resided with him, on his farm near Eatonia. Oscar's youngest brother, Edgar, spent summers with them at the farm while he was a student at the University of Saskatchewan. Isabelle's niece, Betty, lived with them after her mother's death in 1964. Isabelle drove to Eston everyday where she taught Home Economics at Eston High School until she retired from teaching in 1975.

During her retirement years she renewed her love of the arts and painting.She attended many art shows where her paintings were displayed and admired. They led a busy farm life but always enjoyed hosting family picnics by the pond, under the willow tree. They travelled with friends to Reno and Hawaii and made many trips to car and antique shows. During these latter excursions Isabelle preferred to go shopping! After Oscar's passing  at Christmas 2001, Isabelle moved to Eatonia and later to Caleb Village in Kindersley. She flew to Italy and then went on many vacations with her niece and family. With them she travelled to Victoria to see Butchart Gardens and went whale watching, Queen Charlotte Islands, Mt. Rushmore, Cypress Hills,  Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper, Scotland, England, including numerous trips to Saskatoon and Calgary. She loved spending every holiday with family which were happy times we will always cherish.

For the last ten years she lived at Caleb Village, where she thoroughly enjoyed playing bridge along with other card games and socialization with friends in a comfortable seniors environment. She leaves to mourn two brothers-in-law and their families and several nieces and nephews. She will always be remembered for her sharp intellect, quick wit, generosity, and her kind and gentle nature. She will be greatly missed.  Donations on her behalf can be made to Caleb Village in Kindersley.

Due to the Covid 19 pandemic that we are facing at this time, there will not be a funeral service.

The family graciously accepts your well wishes at this difficult time.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Isabelle Hoffman, please visit our floral store.