Nancy Hoff's Obituary
Nancy Riehl Hoff
Nancy Hoff passed away peacefully on March 6, 2012 after a seven-year battle with Alzheimer's disease. She was born on October 24, 1930 in Tacoma to Lock and Bernice Riehl. Nancy Jean was a "Tacoma gal," having graduated from Stadium High School in 1947 and the College of Puget Sound, now University of Puget Sound, in 1951. At CPS she was a member and the first president of Pi Beta Phi sorority, a member of the Adelphian Choir, and earned a BA in Theater, Music and Spanish and a Bachelor of Education. While at college she met her life-long sweetheart and husband of 59 years, Donald M. Hoff. They were married shortly after her graduation and moved to Portland, Oregon, where she taught 7th grade. Soon after, she and Don started their family. They moved back to Tacoma in 1960. Nancy was a wonderful full-time mother while her children were young, managing house and budget with CEO-like efficiency. She then began her career with Tacoma Public Schools as a kindergarten teacher. After teaching, she moved into administration as the coordinator for kindergarten and early childhood programs, a position she held until she retired. Nancy was instrumental in developing assessment tools for early prevention of school failure (EPSF) and consulted and presented training sessions nationally on EPSF and Head Start programs. She also wrote a training manual, "Let's Read Pictures," to help teachers and parents prepare young children for reading. Nancy never stopped learning. She was an active member of the Four Seasons Garden Club, Progressive Study Club, PEO Chapter AY, and many committees at her church, Mason United Methodist. Nancy's greatest volunteer joy came from her decades-long association with her alma mater, UPS. She and Don rarely missed a Logger football or basketball game. She served as president of the UPS Alumni Association and the Women's League and was always available to help with fundraising campaigns. She was a member of the University's Board of Trustees for 28 years. In her "spare" time, Nancy was also an avid knitter, seamstress, reader and gardener. She loved spending time with Don and their family, as well as many wonderful friends and the extended Riehl/Swayze family. Nancy was preceded in death by her parents and her husband. She is survived by her children Dale, Laura Edman (George), Donna Reid (Rick), and Eric (Sarah); grandchildren Lauren Reid Hatcher (Justin), Tal Edman, Jena Reid, Erin Hoff, Derrick Reid, Andrea Edman, Ellie Hoff, and Andy Hoff; great-grandchildren Aiden and Isaac Hatcher; her sister Rhea Wesson and her brother Richard Riehl (Barbara). A memorial service will be held in celebration of Nancy's life at 3:00 pm on Monday, March 12, 2012 at Mason United Methodist Church, 2710 North Madison St., Tacoma, WA, 98407. The family thanks all of the staff at Franke Tobey Jones for their loving care during the past five years. Memorial donations may be made to the Donald M. and Nancy R. Hoff Endowed Scholarship Fund at the University of Puget Sound, to Franke Tobey Jones, or to the donor's charity of choice in the name of Nancy R. Hoff.
Arrangements by Mountain View Funeral Home.
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