Elaine Bowen Hoffman
Elaine Bowen Hoffman passed away in the loving embrace of her family on Nov. 2, 2021.
She was born in New Castle, and was the daughter of the late Carl and Gertrude (Pape) Bowen.
Elaine dedicated 40 years of her professional life to the Neshannock School District. She began her career as a secretary in the main office and later worked in the elementary and high school libraries, and was instrumental in computerizing their programs.
Elaine was a self-taught computer whiz who was in charge of the high school computer lab for several years and taught introductory computer classes to senior citizens. Her friendly demeanor and ever-present willingness to help led staff members to seek her counsel for hardware and software problems throughout her career.
She also served as a secretary in the high school guidance office. Elaine was a loving mentor and an empathetic listener to the students who walked the halls of NHS. It is difficult to quantify the number of students whose lives she impacted and the depths to which she had a positive and lasting influence on their lives. We know that she loved all the students who crossed her path, and they loved her.
Elaine was an avid sportswoman who enjoyed tennis, bowling, sailing, ice skating, kayaking, hiking and cross-country skiing. She coached Little League Baseball and was one of the founders of the Lawrence County Lightning Hockey Association.
She loved sports, and was the bookkeeper for the NHS boys basketball team for over 30 years, where she earned the deepest respect of coaches and officials. She loved cheering on “her boys.”
She was an educator through and through, teaching needlepoint to elementary students and knitting to high school students. She also taught database, kayaking, knitting and looming classes for Butler County Community College’s Lifelong Learning Program.
Elaine was a beautiful woman with a personality that was larger than life. Everyone who knew her considered her a friend. She enjoyed making her special sauces and wedding soup for others, cherished the times she spent dining and playing games with friends and family and had a special bond with so many people.
She had a witty sense of humor, and when she laughed, she truly showed her heart to the world!
Elaine had several hobbies, including needlepoint, crocheting and cooking. Armed with a paintbrush and her eye for interior design, she could convert any room or office into a warm, inviting space.
However, spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren was what she loved most of all. She enjoyed every holiday and celebration.
You could always find her standing on the sidelines cheering on her grandchildren at soccer, basketball and baseball games. Family was of the utmost importance, and she left behind a legacy of love, laughter and the most beautiful memories. We will truly miss the sound of her voice, her presence and knowing that she would be there whenever we needed her, and we ALWAYS needed her.
If you were blessed to have known Elaine, then you will never forget her kindness and generosity.
She is survived by her loving husband, Bill; daughters, Amy (Rob) Ramsey, Maryrose (Cary) Gill and Emily (Brian) Domena; son, Nathaniel (Shirah) Hoffman; grandchildren, Zach (Annie) Ramsey, Madison Ramsey, Cameron and Kerrigan Rose Gill, Ember Domena, Ahna and Belle Hoffman; great-grandchildren, Jamie and RJ Ramsey; sisters, Marianna Breeding, Mary Lou Barud, Mary Kay Fermanich, Patty Bowen-Moore, Liz Bowen, Mary Jo Sanford-Northrop and Mary Therese Rustowicz; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, Elaine was preceded in death by three sisters, Carole Northrop, Mary Margaret Bowen and Mary Rose Bowen; and two brothers, David Bowen and Carl Bowen.
A private celebration of life will be held for Elaine. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation: Kerrigan’s Krew:
https://fightcf.cff.org/site/TR?pg=teamlist&fr_id=8609
Published on November 7, 2021
