HOFF, Johanna Emily(Nee Clandfield)

August 28, 1934 – September 20, 2013

 

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Johanna Hoff on Friday, September 20, 2013.  For 79 years education was an underlying theme of Jo’s life.  She attended St.Mary’s Girls in Calgary and studied Education at the Calgary branch of the University of Alberta, where she was captain and star player of the women’s basketball team, as well as being involved in student government. Jo was an avid swimmer, having grown up beside the Elbow River, an excellent bridge player and life-long movie buff.  After teaching school for one year in Mossleigh, Jo returned to University where she met fellow Education student Vern, and with him obtained her MRS degree instead of her B. Ed. Over the years she took many correspondence and Adult Education courses, eventually heading up the local Adult Ed program. Jo and Vern lived one year in Lethbridge, four years in Bassano and in 1961 moved to their present location between Standard and Gleichen.  This was the hub of family gatherings for 50 years.  In each community Jo enjoyed the women’s “Koffee Klatches” and also became a favourite substitute teacher. Jo eagerly espoused her new role as farm wife-picking up Native workers, taking meals to the harvest fields, making “parts runs” as well as driving her children and others to hundreds of sports and arts events, making mountains of sandwiches and squares.  She participated fully in the local social life, especially Lions Club’s activities, including the famous “Hawaii Night”. In that active household she and Vern raised four sons and one daughter- David (Kira, Declan), now currently living in Vancouver; Eldon (Carlee, Lonnie, Janelle)- Standard; Anne Paskevich (Paul)- Calgary; Michael (Dorrit- children Rachel, Logan)-Calgary and Erich (Tammy- children Sarah, Simon)-Gleichen. All their children attended post-Secondary Education and have passed the education passion on to their own children. Jo was a member of many local organizations and, before her health gave way, operated Buffalo Jump Arts and Crafts.  She was an enthusiastic collector of Native and Western artefacts and antiques. Together in their motor home Jo and Vern visited every state and province and flew to Hawaii in celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary in 2006. Jo’s life was full and busy until several health issues in later years confined her more and more to home and family. She leaves to mourn Vern, her loving husband of 57 years, her children and grandchildren, and countless nieces and nephews.  She is survived two sisters, Mary Meigh (Ottawa), Anne Wansink (St. Albert).  She was pre-deceased by her brother Fred.  Her sisters and brothers-in-law, Donna Clandfield; Lorraine Tennis, Ken and Judith Hoff, and Max and Mary Hoff also mourn her loss. Hundreds of relatives and friends will recall the good times at Aunt Jo’s swimming pool, her thousands of books and magazines, shelves of crafts and antiques, dining tales groaning under delicious food, and the warm hospitality of an interesting and intelligent woman. Donations in Johanna’s memory may be made directly to the Alberta Heart and Stroke Foundation (#200, 119-14th St. N.W., Calgary, T2N 1Z6). A memorial service will be held on Friday, September 27, 2013 at Hope Community Covenant Church at 1:00 p.m.  To send condolences, please visit www.wheatlandfuneralhome.ca.