Obituary of Janet Marre Hoffey

Janet Marre Hoffey, 77, died Thursday, February 16, at her daughter’s home surrounded by her family. She passed away from Progressive Supranuclear Palsy and Parkinsons. Visitation will be Thursday February 23 (9:00 – 10:30 am), followed by mass (10:30-11:30), and a luncheon (11:30-1:00 pm) at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Iowa City. A burial will follow at 1:15 pm at St. Joseph’s cemetery. Janet Marre Palmquist was born April 5, 1939 in Villisca, Iowa, the daughter of John and Nelle Palmquist. In 1957, Janet left the tall corn fields of southwest Iowa and traveled to Iowa City to begin college. It was there she met her husband while serving as an aide at University of Iowa Psychiatric Hospital. She was united in marriage to Jerry Hoffey on October 1, 1960 in Villisca, Iowa on a beautiful fall day. Together they happily raised six children on Melrose Court where they enjoyed the traditions of family vacations to St. Louis and Hawkeye Football weekends. Janet taught for 25 years in the Iowa City School District and earned her Master’s Degree during her teaching years. She was a respected and dedicated teacher serving at multiple elementary schools and grade levels. Janet mentored candidates in the local RCIA Program for 20 years, was an active volunteer and parishioner at St. Patrick’s Church. Following retirement, she worked at the Information Center at the University of Iowa Hospital, traveled the world, was a percussionist in the New Horizons Senior Band, played piano, enjoyed gardening, entertaining, chronicling her extended families lives and spending time with her family. She was the proud mother of Mike, Marty, Anne, Susie, Daniel and Jennifer and mother-in-law to Linda, Sonia, Peter, Jimmy, and Scott. A loving grandmother to Nicholas, Lindsey, Ryne, Noah, Camille, Silas, Ezrah, Calvin, Heather, Nicole, Dylan, Lucas and Zarah. They were all blessed to have her in their lives. She is survived by her three siblings Mark (Patti) Palmquist, Jeanne Schenk and Joan Jamison, and a brother- in-law Paul (Delsie) Hoffey. She was preceded in death by her husband Jerry, John and Nelle Palmquist, Bill and Evelyn Hoffey, Donald and Richard “Dickie” Hoffey and her brother-in-law, Bruce Jamison. Donations to support literacy projects may be sent to the Jerry & Janet Hoffey Memorial Endowment, Iowa City School District Foundation, 1725 North Dodge Street, Iowa City, IA 52245. Arrangements are through Gay and Ciha Funeral Home. Share a thought, memory or condolence at http://www.gayandciha.com.