The beloved Mim Hoffecker, a former Gunston School teacher, Washington College librarian, and innkeeper at the White Swan Tavern June 6 died at the age of 98.
Born Miriam Virginia Ford, the daughter of Frank and Ada Pearce Ford of Ringgold’s Point in Kent County, she was raised in Rock Hall and graduated from Chestertown High School. She was a star athlete in her youth and continued to play a variety of sports at Washington College, where she received a bachelor’s degree in English in 1936.
“Mim” worked at Koppers Co. in Baltimore until 1943, when she married Major Frank S. Hoffecker Jr., a Marine Corps fighter pilot who was killed in the Korean War.
Returning to Chestertown after his death, she taught English and history at Chestertown High School for many years and enjoyed getting to know hundreds of local students. She rounded off her teaching career at the Gunston School in Centreville, then worked as a librarian at Washington College.
After retiring, she enjoyed time with her family, took occasional trips overseas and supported local charities, such as the Kent Association of Riding Therapy (KART) and Kent Conservation. She was a lifelong liberal Democrat.
Survivors include a sister, Nina Ford Noonan of Broomall, Pa.; a daughter, Gretchen Hoffecker Knowles of Kingstown; a son, Frank S. “Fritz” Hoffecker III of Alexandria, Va.; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by her parents; her brother, Benjamin F. “Sambo” Ford; a sister, Elizabeth Ford Edwards Bryden; and a son, Warren B. Hoffecker.
A memorial service will be held at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Chestertown on Thursday, June 12, at 4 p.m. The funeral arrangements were made by Marvin V. Williams Jr., Chestertown.
Donations in her memory can be made to Emmanuel Episcopal Church (P.O. Box 875, Chestertown, MD 21620) or the Chestertown High School Alumni Scholarship Fund (P.O. Box 765, Chestertown, MD 21620).
Hugh Silcox says
Sad news. But not really. This lady lived a very full life and gave graciously of herself. I am richer for having known her and for — I trust — being counted among her friends….
sylvia maloney says
To all of you, family and friends, Mim was the most regal, gentle, feisty lady, I ever had the pleasure to know. She did it all and maybe did it better than any of us could possibly do. She was a role model to me and I loved her dearly, as did all of her friends. God bless and keep her. She was one of a kind.
Sylvia Maloney