The sun came out on January 8th, 2026, after several days of rain. With clear skies and warm air, Marcella Elizabeth Hoffman (nee Kiley) passed away just a month and a day short of her 92nd birthday. Marcella was always surrounded by love and was fortunate to be surrounded by family as she took her last breath, grabbed Dad's hand, and walked into forever with him.
Mom was born February 9th, 1934, on her family’s dairy farm in DePere, Wisconsin in the town of Glenmore. She was the youngest of 7 children, and farm life taught her the importance of hard work, struggle, commitment, and the role a strong family plays in life. Mom maintained a great relationship with all her siblings throughout their lives, and she was the last of them to pass. Once again, they are all back together, probably playing Sheepshead (Schafskopf) and rooting for the Green Bay Packers!
Mom graduated from East De Pere High School in 1952 and went on to train as a diplomaed nurse at Holy Family School of Nursing in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. She maintained contact with her classmates, of whom 5 of the original 18 survive, Vivian, Shirley, Josie, Leone, and Glorya. Mom’s nursing training would serve her well through life both professionally and at home. Baking soda paste for bee stings and other itchy things and hydrogen peroxide for cuts and scrapes. Occasionally she would spray a little window cleaner on a scrape. She was asked years later why she used window cleaner, and she said, “Because you thought it worked” …the mind is a powerful thing.
Mom was introduced to Leland Hoffman, our dad, through her friend Gail Turrif. Gail’s boyfriend, Butch Kempen, was dad’s best friend. Mom and Dad met through 4 years of correspondence as Dad was serving overseas in the United States Navy as a Seabee. Mom and Dad were married June 9th, 1956, and the following years were spent moving across the country and building what would become a very large family. Susan and Cindy were born in East St. Louis, IL, Kate in San Diego; Mike in Lincoln, NE; Julie in San Diego; Mary in Phoenix, AZ; and then Thom, Chris, Andy, Liz, Jen, and Jo were all born in Ventura.
12 kids kept Mom VERY busy, but, we never went without clean clothes, plenty of good food and activities. Mom was tireless, always calm, always whistling or singing, and listening to music. Mom did not drive, so walking was the mode of transportation to doctor visits, grocery store trips, etc. If it was raining, we took the bus, otherwise, “hoof it”. We have heard from many people that Mom served as an inspiration when their lives got tough. Always active at Holy Cross School, Mom helped with food preparation, fiestas, bake sales, bingo, and any other fundraiser necessary to help the school. She was a member of the Rosary Altar Society, and she lent her beautiful singing voice to the choir at the Mission San Buenaventura.
Mom arranged family vacations and all the logistics that went into camping, amusement parks, and picnics, and many times with a baby or two on her lap. This was all without the internet or cell phones! Mom was a powerhouse. Dad was asked how they did it, and he said, “that was all your mama”. Her dedication to family was always apparent, and her love for Dad was unending. Mom cared for him through his illness and remained strong when he passed in March of 2019. Mom grieved but carried on knowing that life goes on and they’d be reunited one day. Known for her sense of humor, she was the dedicated “joke teller” on Monday evening family Zoom calls.
Mom moved to The Palms Assisted Living facility and for the first time in her life, had her own apartment! At the Palms, she gained new independence and loved all the activities. New friends were made with the residents and staff. We’d like to mention her two special friends, Michelle Collyer and Pat Lindley, with whom Mom shared many meals and activities. Thank you, Michelle and Pat!
“Whatcha gonna do?”. Whatcha gonna do was a go to for Mom. At first it sounded like an admission of defeat, but, on reflection, it was her way of saying LIFE GOES ON, C’est la vie, get over it. Life does go on, and we are all so fortunate to have had Marcella as our mom. Her presence will be missed, but her example carries on in all of us. We have an amazing family because of what our parents gave us.
Marcella is survived by her children, Susan Corgan (Gary), Cindy, Kate Wilson (Ralph), Mike, Julie Cruz (Ernie), Mary Harris (Dan), Thom (Liz), Chris Strickel (Charlie), Andy (Dianthe), Liz Alvarado (Juan), Jennifer, and Johanna Bakes. Marcella is also survived by 33 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, her brother-in-law Wayne Hoffman, and sister-in-law Kathy Kiley, both of De Pere, Wisconsin. Marcella is predeceased by her loving husband Leland, her parents Walter and Mary Kiley as well as her siblings Marie, Rosella, Raymond, Jim, Tom and Dolores.
Our family would like to thank the staff at The Palms Assisted Living as well as Assisted Home Health and Hospice. In lieu of flowers, our family requests you donate to the Mission San Buenaventura Rosary Altar Society, St. Vincent DePaul, or a charity of your choice.
A Most Holy Rosary will be recited at 7:00pm on Monday, March 23, 2026, at Joseph P. Reardon Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 757 East Main Street, Ventura. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at 11:30am at The Mission San Buenaventura with Fr. Tom Elewaut.
Arrangements are under the direction of the JOSEPH P. REARDON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICE, Ventura.