Lena Maud Hoffman

Lena Maud Eddy Hoffman, 94, of Little Rock died Monday, May 16, 2011. She was born February 28, 1917, in Blackwell, Ark the daughter of the late Dr. John D. Eddy, and Annie Shoptaw Eddy. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Rodger; her sister, Eleanor Grabher; and her brother, Garland Eddy. She is survived by her sister, Emma Lee Beaty of Morrilton; her daughters, Jayne Hoffman of Little Rock; Sammye Owen and husband John of Dumas; her granddaughter, Maggie Young and husband Chris; as well as her great-grandson, Finley Young, all of Little Rock. Lena graduated Morrilton High School in 1935. After graduation she enrolled in beauty school and began working as a beautician in 1938. She worked full-time for Mrs. Jeannette E. Rockefeller for 14 years and experienced Arkansas politics at its finest during this time. Lena was a past member of the Arkansas Mental Health Association and served as a volunteer at the UAMS Cancer Institute. She married Rodger William Hoffman of West Allis, Wisconsin in 1941. Even in her later years she would smile and say, "He was the best-looking man in 3 counties." A long-time member of the Pleasant Valley Church of Christ, her passions were reading, playing Bridge and cooking for those she loved, and she loved many. She published a cookbook in 1982, Lena Says Let's Get Together, in order to share recipes with her extended family. The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and social workers at UAMS and Briarwood Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for their caring treatment of her and the family. The family would like to also thank Marcilla Hampton and Gloria Gilbert who came into her home as caregivers and became her dear friends. A memorial service will be held at 2 pm, Thursday, May 19 at Ruebel Funeral Home, 6313 West Markham, Little Rock with Nick Hamilton and Dave Bishop of Pleasant Valley Church of Christ officiating. A visitation will follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to The Winthrop Rockefeller Cancer Institute, 4301 W. Markham, Slot 623F , Little Rock, Ark. 72205, The Little Rock Zoo, #1 Zoo Drive, Little Rock, Ark, 72205 or a favorite charity. www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.