09/05/2026
Mary E. (Simpkins) Hoffman, 96, passed away peacefully into the arms of her Savior on August 31, 2026. Born on March 23, 1930, in Hammonton, New Jersey, Mary lived a life marked by devotion to her family, creativity, laughter, and a genuine love for others.
She was the beloved wife of the late Louis “Luke” Hoffman, with whom she shared a deeply loving marriage. Together, Mary and Luke built a life filled with beauty and hard work. They owned and tended a Christmas tree farm, carefully growing and pruning their trees throughout the year and welcoming families each Christmas to choose a tree of their own.
Their beautiful home and grounds were another labor of love. Known locally as “the wedding house,” the property was so beautifully landscaped that couples came there to have their wedding photographs taken. A sign in the yard captured what the home meant to Mary and Luke: “Shangri-La — Our Labor of Love.”
A devoted homemaker, Mary is also fondly remembered by generations in the community as the beloved summer bus driver who drove local children to the Egg Harbor City Lake.
Mary was wonderfully creative and had a beautiful gift for calligraphy. Long before computers made elegant lettering readily available, friends and neighbors came to Mary to have wedding invitation envelopes and other special pieces lettered by hand. She generously shared that gift with others.
Mary was deeply patriotic and loved her country. That love was especially personal to her through the experience of her brother, Bill Simpkins, who was held as a prisoner of war. His safe return home was a moment of tremendous joy for Mary and her family. When the community gathered for a parade to welcome Bill home, Mary sang as part of the celebration, proud and overjoyed to have her brother home again. Her love of country remained an important part of who she was throughout her life.
Above all, Mary was fun. She had a fantastic sense of humor, loved to laugh, and perhaps loved even more making other people laugh. She will be remembered for her devotion to her family, her creativity, her humor, and the beauty and joy she brought into the lives of those around her.
Mary is survived by her daughters, Mary Lou Snyder of Mullica, New Jersey, and Brenda May (Robert) of Mays Landing, New Jersey; her grandchildren, Christina Murphy (John) of Galloway, New Jersey, Herb Snyder (Katie) of Mays Landing, New Jersey, Shelley Snyder (Ryan) of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, and Wayne Ransom (Heather) of Galloway, New Jersey; her great-grandchildren, Taylor Murphy, Madison Murphy, Kylie Snyder, and Skylur Caravelli; and her great-great-granddaughter, Makayla Luko.
She will be dearly missed.
Funeral services and interment will be held privately with immediate family. The family is deeply grateful for the prayers, love, and kindness extended to them as they and entrust Mary into the loving care of her Savior.
