Dorothy Mae Hoffman

Dottie Hoffman, age 91, entered into eternal peace on July 5, 2017 in Seattle, WA, surrounded by loving family members.

Dorothy Mae Downey was born October 11, 1925 to Columbus Addison and Burleigh Mae Downey of Sale Creek Tennessee; the youngest of four children.

She graduated from Sale Creek High School then University of Tennessee, Knoxville with a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics in the Spring of 1948.

In December of 1948, Dorothy eloped with the love of her life, C.W. "Pete" Hoffman.
They left their families in Tennessee to build a life and family of their own in Oregon. Pete and Dottie became ranchers in Eastern Oregon, south of the small town of North Powder. They had four children come along as they were raising cattle and sheep and harvesting hay and wheat from the fields. As a side adventure, Dottie enjoyed learning the art of pottery making and was soon teaching ceramics to a classroom of friends in a room off the garage.

They moved their family of six to British Columbia in 1964 to begin a new venture with a much larger ranching operation, outside of Williams Lake, on the cliffs of the Frazier River. It was in Canada that the Springfield Ranch cattle business flourished, and Dottie taught High School Home Economics in the public schools to support the growing needs of her teenagers.

When Pete's father became ill, in La Grande, OR in 1968, it became important that Pete and Dottie return to the states. Dottie and Pete bought an initial home in La Grande but found a larger family home on 3rd Street. They stayed loyal to it and enjoyed the wildlife that came to it, for the next 40 years. Pete added a swimming pool for the kids and stocked the pond for fishing. Dottie canned produce from her garden and made desserts from her peach and apple trees but also found a new love for growing, drying and selling bulk flowers.
Throughout her life, Dottie dabbled in many mediums of art, water color, charcoal, copper jewelry, and print making. She loved art and it loved her back. Dottie had an infectious energy for creativity; artful placement of decor in her home. No one had a more beautiful Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas table setting or home during the holidays. She created many beautiful arrangements for the La Grande Country Club as well.

When the kids were in school, Dottie and her friend Ruth Lacer started up a gourmet food shop called The Lamplighter, located in Pat's Alley, a mini mall in La Grande. Dottie got to share her knowledge and love of cooking in a fun venue away from home.

Once their children were out of the nest, Dottie and Pete were able to travel to many countries, see the world and vacation in Florida for many winters. She loved good food, travel and entertaining and Pete loved company, so they included their friends on their vacations, filling their lives with precious memories.

Dottie acquired her second Bachelor's Degree, in Art, at Eastern Oregon College.

Dottie and Pete loved their community and were always willing to make smart investments. They built six duplexes along B Avenue in La Grande, built a seventh and finished an eighth, on 4th Street in the late 70's and 80's They were the shared owners of Eagle Freightliner in La Grande and Hermiston. Dottie was actively consulted on affairs of the trucking and rental business until she passed.

In July of 2010, by recommendation of doctors, Dottie was flown to Kadlec Medical Center in Richland, WA for care with her pneumonia. She and Pete took up residence near their daughter, Cindy, in Richland, at Riverton Retirement & Assisted Living. Their decline in health and level of care did not allow them to return to their home in Oregon. They enjoyed each other's company until Pete passed away in July of 2014. Dottie was left to learn to continue without him. She took advantage of regular restaurant and wine country outings. She looked forward most to a Wild Horse or Legends Casino afternoon. Memories of Pete and the fun they had gambling were kept alive. Dottie loved to beat the slot machines and share her story.

At Riverton, she was a regular winner at Bingo, Pokeno and Blackjack. But she was the biggest winner in the hearts of her friends and care staff. In the almost seven years she lived at Riverton she knit scarves for most the women who lived and worked there. She sold some in the gift shop she volunteered at. She made unique bead jewelry, painted bird houses, decorated wine glasses, ornaments, baskets and gift boxes. All of which she gave to family and friends. She was also handy at garment and jewelry repairs so it was a revolving door at Apt 343.

Dottie was a polished lady with a wonderful smile that could light up a room. She was loved by all who knew her. If she were here now she would raise her wine glass and make a toast, simply saying, "Good Wishes To You".

Dottie is preceded in death by her husband "Pete", of 65 years of marriage, her parents, her brother Donald Eldridge Downey, sisters Martha "Margaret" Thomas and her husband Hubert, and Ruth Evelyn Jenkins and her husband Charles.

Dottie is survived by her four children, C.W. "Pat" III and his wife Mary of La Grande, OR, Cindy Taylor of Richland, WA, Sherry Hoffman and partner Karen Ashby of Boca Raton, FL, Lorrie Smith and husband Steve of Duvall, WA; five grandchildren, Aurora Snively, Clarence Hoffman IV, Kelly Rae, Kristine Cavanah, and Lindsey Smith; seven great grandchildren, Roger, Alice and Jon Snively, Jackson and Hudson Rae, and Nina and Penny Cavanah.
Services will be held at the La Grande Church of the Nazarene, 109 18th St in La Grande on Monday, July 31. Relatives and friends are welcome at the 1:00 service with a Fellowship Hall reception to follow. Burial with Daniels-Knopp Funeral Home will be held in private at Grandview Cemetery Mausoleum.

Memorial gifts may be made to the La Grande PEO Chapter CO, in care of Sally Wiens to provide scholarships for the education of young women.

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