The legacy of Sister Hoffman
By: Michael Tellini ’18

Sister Ellen Hoffman passed away recently on January 19th. An RSCJ, she made several contributions to our Sacred Heart community as a teacher, head of school, librarian, and mentor. After making her vows in 1938, she taught in Lake Forest Illinois, the first of many teaching opportunities she took full part of. Several years later, she taught at both elementary schools in our Sacred Heart community here in San Francisco for a total of over three decades before retiring to Oakwood, where she was visited by several classes from Stuart Hall over the years. “She was joy to be around,” says junior William Rodriguez, who visited the RSCJ his freshman year and will return next year as part of the senior retreat. Mr. Vasquez, who had an incredible relationship with the woman, speaks fondly of her. “She loved our visits. She said very clearly how much she loved Stuart Hall and how much she loved teaching boys. Although she could not hear and barely see she was always wheeled out for our visits into her late 90s.” The Hoffman Library on the CES campus is named after the gentle spirit who dedicated her life’s work to education and mentoring children. A valuable part of our Sacred Heart community, she will be missed dearly.