Obituary of Shirley Hoffman

0n November 29, 2014, Shirley Hoffman died peacefully after a long struggle. She is survived by her 4 children - Jerry (Barbara) Hoffman, Andy (Eileen) Hoffman, Richard (Lydia) Hoffman and Paula (David) Lowe, 9 grandchildren - Julia (Greg) Camarco, Robert Hoffman, Jesse Hoffman, Emily Hoffman, Kate Hoffman, Elyse Hoffman, Liana Hoffman, Eric (Mara) Lowe, Karen Lowe and great grandson Brady Camarco. Shirley was married to Robert Shapiro until his death in 1962. They had two children, Jerry and Richard. In 1964 Shirley married David Hoffman and with his two children, Andy and Paula, made a blended family that Shirley and David were determined to make “one family.” They succeeded in this through family dinners, camping and family vacations and putting a premium on being together for holidays and graduations. Shirley was born in Brooklyn on August 31, 1927 to Lillian and Percy Pinsker. She graduated from Brooklyn College and was a public school teacher in Valley Stream and Plainview, NY. She taught kindergarten and primary grades before focusing on Special Education, which became her passion. She set high standards for her students, and was known for her “tough love” that spurred her students to make substantial gains. Shirley and David retired to Boynton Beach, Florida in 1990 where they lived a life full of friends and activities until David’s death in 2010. She lived her final years in Albany at the Daughters of Sarah Nursing Center. Shirley was truly loved and adored by her family and friends. She will be remembered for her force of personality, her ability to enliven any conversation or party, and her energy for life. The family wishes to thank all of Shirley’s caregivers at Daughter’s of Sarah and especially Sandy, whose commitment and compassion made a difficult situation better. A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, December 3rd at 2pm at New Montefiore Cemetery, West Babylon, NY. In lieu of flowers the family suggests that individuals consider making a donation to a charity of their choice.