Wilma Joyce Reich Hoffman, 83

Wilma Joyce Reich Hoffman, 83, a 42-year resident of Edgewater, MD, died October 3, 2014 at her home following a 9-year battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. Born on November 7, 1930 in St. Louis, MO, Joyce graduated from Mehlville High School in St. Louis in 1948 and attended the University of Houston.

In 1951, Joyce became a Navy Officer’s wife and traveled extensively. During her husband’s career, Joyce served as President of the Officer’s Wives Club, coordinated numerous charity programs at several duty stations and supported wives and families of helicopter pilots serving during the Viet Nam conflict. She and her husband sponsored numerous midshipmen from the U.S. Naval Academy. Joyce also worked in various secretarial positions for companies including Safeway and Kelly Girls, and retired as the Office Manager for Dr. Roger Harris.

Joyce participated in Sunday School and Bible Studies and was a choir member at Trinity United Methodist Church in Annapolis. She excelled at every undertaking and loved to knit, sew and garden. She also enjoyed water aerobics, reading, crossword puzzles, traveling with her women’s bowling league and volunteering at the Navy Dispensary.

Joyce was preceded in death by her father, Joseph Reich, and her mother and stepfather, Marguerite and Shelton Doerksen. She is survived by her loving husband of nearly 63 years, CDR Merle L. Hoffman, USN (Ret.); one son, Merle L. Hoffman, Jr. (Alice) of Naples, FL; two daughters, Pamela L. Hoffman-Hanna (David) of Annapolis, MD and Sherrell L. Hoffman-Chaires of Ohio; four grandchildren, Merle L. Hoffman III (Sara), M. Brook Hanna-Fowler (Doug), Carolyn M. Hanna and Kyle B. Chaires; and three great-grandchildren.

A Memorial Service will be held for Joyce at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 1, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 1300 West Street, Annapolis, MD 21401. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Trinity U.M. Church or the Hospice of the Chesapeake at www.hospicechesapeake.org.

— Courtesy of George P. Kalas Funeral Home