Mary A. (Ahlquist) Hofer

Mary A. Hofer, 73, passed away peacefully on August 27, 2025, after a courageous three-year journey with cancer, at David Simpson Hospice House of the Western Reserve in Cleveland. Throughout her illness, Mary continued to embody kindness, grace, compassion, and her deep love for family, friends, and God.

Born on January 27, 1952, in Warren, Pennsylvania, she was the daughter of F. Walter and Violet (Harvey) Ahlquist. Mary graduated from Thiel College in 1973 with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. She went on to serve others through her work as a preschool teacher at St. Steven’s Episcopal Church in Fairview, PA, and later as a social worker with Blair County Children and Youth.

A devoted member of Pilgrim Lutheran Brethren Church, Mary was active in church life, including two book clubs, the Koinonia of Lake County, and the Board of Directors for Project Hope. Her love of music shone through her participation in church choirs at St. James (Fairview, PA), Zion Lutheran (Hollidaysburg, PA), and Advent Lutheran (Mentor, OH), where she also directed the bell choir.

Mary found joy in tending her flower gardens, creating beautiful arrangements, and spending time at the family’s lake house in Findley Lake, NY. She also cherished traveling with friends and family to destinations including Florida, Myrtle Beach, Colonial Williamsburg, Nashville, Hawaii, and Germany.

She is survived by her beloved husband, Richard Hofer; children, Todd (Carla) Hofer, Emily (Roger) Gausman, and Eric Hofer; sister, Becky (Gary) Mickle; brother, Bruce Ahlquist; grandchildren, Thomas Okicki, Mary (Chris) Branchick, Christopher Okicki, Aaron Gausman, Andrew Gausman, and Jack Jones; and great-grandchildren, Elise Branchick, Adeline Branchick, and Noah Okicki. She is also lovingly remembered by many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and a great-nephew.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents.

Family and friends will be received on Saturday, September 6, 2025, from 10:00–11:00 a.m. at Pilgrim Lutheran Brethren Church, 9514 Johnnycake Ridge Road, Mentor, OH, where a funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:

Project Hope For the Homeless. https://projecthopeforthehomeless.org

Pilgrim Lutheran Brethren Church.  https://www.pilgrimlbc.com

Hospice House of the Western Reserve. https://www.hospicewr.org

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