Ada May Hoffman

Ada May Hoffman, born May 5, 1947, in Harvard, Illinois, to the late A.L. and Mabel Rose Graves, passed peacefully in her sleep and was called to her eternal home on October 1, 2025, in Tucson, Arizona.

Ada was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond Downes and Maybelle Anna Brickley; her beloved husband, Richard Allen Hoffman; her sisters, Gayle Evelyn Graves Johnson and Rose Ann Voykin; and her brother, Allen John Graves. 

She is survived by her sisters Paula Marie Lanphier, Rita Julia Vanhorn, Arlene Frances Spiegelhoff, Mary Teresa Anderson, Barbara Ann Williams, and Cheryl Marie Grieshop; her three children Richard William Hoffman, Michelle Marie Pavon, and Lisa Kathleen Lopez; her cherished grandchildren Dylan Cole Pavon, Maxwell Reed Pavon, Taylor Rae Pavon, Michael Ryan Lopez, Kyle Devin Gabbard Jr., and Madisyn Damiana Gabbard; and her great-grandchildren Jesse Antonio Lopez and Logan Rae Graham.

She also leaves behind many other family members and lifelong friends who will forever remember her loving heart, kindness, and unwavering strength.

Ada was a devoted wife, a strong and nurturing mother, an extraordinary grandmother, and a deeply caring sister. Her love for her family was the center of her life—evident in every picture, letter, and memory she left behind. She delighted in capturing life’s precious moments through photography and journaling, preserving the laughter, milestones, and everyday joys that made her family’s story so special.

A gifted poet, Ada wrote from her heart with sincerity and grace. Her words reflected her deep faith, her love of life, and her gratitude for those around her. She also found joy in baking—her handwritten recipes are a priceless treasure, and her cinnamon rolls and fudge were legendary among family and friends. Many of her happiest days were spent around the table playing dominos, sharing laughter, and creating new memories with those she loved most.

Ada’s faith in God and her unconditional love for others were the foundations of her life. Those who knew her will always remember her gentle spirit, her selflessness, and her warmth. Though she will be deeply missed, her love continues to live on in the hearts of everyone she touched.

“Her love was the light that guided us — and that light will never fade.”