Joanne Hofford

Joanne Hofford (nee George), age 94, passed into eternal life on February 5, 2024. Jo was born October 7, 1929, in Oil City, Pennsylvania. She was the daughter of F. Edward and Elizabeth George of York, PA. Jo had one sibling, Barbara (Bobbye) Jones, who predeceased her. Jo and Donald E Hofford were married at St Mathews Lutheran Church in York, Pennsylvania, on August 2, 1952. In 1957, they moved to the Peoria area.

Jo was the loving Mom to Shawn (Bill) in Long Island, NY; Shellie (Tim) in Louisville, KY; Stephen (dec.), and Elizabeth (Scott) in Washington, IL. Jo was the proud Grandma to Eric, Michael, Madison, David, Patrick, Nicholas, and Jason.

She was a big help to her daughters when each grandbaby arrived. She loved her great-grandchildren Charlie, Theo, Jackson, and Wesley.

Jo enjoyed her 7 ½ years living in Geneva, Switzerland, from 1969-1977. When Don retired from Caterpillar, they enjoyed many trips, both foreign and domestic. They spent many years traveling to Sun City West, AZ, for the winter months.

Jo was a faithful member of St Mark's Lutheran Church in Washington and a longtime member of P.E.O., a philanthropic organization. She enjoyed golfing, bowling, knitting, playing bridge, and any board/card game she could get others to play. She was a good cook, but in her retired years, she enjoyed going out to dinner and having a glass of good red wine.

After a fall in 2017, Jo had a couple of health issues. She resided at Lutheran Hillside Village and, for the last six years, saw her loving, devoted husband most days. She rests in her Lord now, and we are grateful for her peaceful passing.

Jo will be cremated, and a memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 17, at 10:30 am at St Mark's Lutheran Church, with visitation beginning at 9:30 am. Burial will follow her service at Hillcrest Memory Gardens in rural Morton. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St Mark's Lutheran Church Mission Endowment Fund, 200 South Main Street, Washington, IL 61571, or Lutheran Hillside Village, 6901 North Galena Road, Peoria, IL 61614. Mason-White Funeral Home in Washington is assisting the family with arrangements.  To share a memory or send a condolence to her family, visit www.masonfuneralhomes.com.