Obituary of Elsie W. Hoffmann

Kingston - Elsie W. Hoffmann died Wednesday, April 26, 2017.  Born July 5, 1919 in Cologne/Leverkusen, Germany, she was the daughter of Frederick and Martha Karwelat.  Elsie landed in NYC in 1926 and then resided in Rensselaer, graduating from Rensselaer High School in 1937.  After several bookkeeping positions she entered civil service, retiring from the NYS Comptroller’s Office in 1981 as a benefits examiner.  Her 35 years of retirement was filled with cruises and traveling throughout Europe and the United States.  She took up golf in her 60’s and continued to play until her 80’s.  She was a member of the German American Club of Albany and the Ladies Auxillary for many years.  She also enjoyed entertaining friends and family with her many picnics in her backyard.  Elsie had a special love for all animals, especially cats.  Her many donations to animal charities were evidence of that.  Buffy, Mandy, Sonny and Buddy were her companions over the years.  She was an avid reader as well.

    Elsie was the wife of the late Martin Hoffmann, who she married in 1941.  She is survived by her son John A. Hoffmann (Cindy) of Kingston; grandchildren, Martin and Lory Hoffmann and Jennifer Hoffmann of California and Amanda Landerway of Kingston; great-grandson, Jack Henry Hoffmann of California; nieces, Linda Bernhardt (Robert) of Seattle, WA and Dorothy Karwelat of North Greenish; and grandniece, Rachel Karwelat.  She was also predeceased by her son Martin F. Hoffmann; brother, Arthur Karwelat; and sister Martha Bernhardt.

    Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 6, 2017 at the Reilly & Son Funeral Home, Colonie.  Calling hours will precede the service from 9 - 11 a.m.   Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery.  Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to your local ASPCA or animal shelter.  A special thank you goes out to the staff at Ten Brock Commons, Fox Hall Unit in Lake Katrine, NY for the wonderful care they gave Elsie.