Kathleen B. Hoffman

Kathleen Byers Hoffman passed away peacefully in St. Petersburg on July 25. A longtime resident of St. Petersburg and member of St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Kathleen Hoffman was a noted antique doll collector, lecturing frequently on the history of antique and modern dolls, and serving as judge at competitions at national doll conventions. Born in Falls Church, Virginia, she received her undergraduate degree from the College of William & Mary, where she was a member of Gamma Phi Beta. She was a teacher for several years in Arlington, Virginia and also Pinellas County. In 1963 she moved to St. Petersburg with her family and husband Robert, whose medical practice brought them here. Kathleen was an active volunteer in Pinellas for many years. As President of the 1970 Pinellas County Medical Auxiliary, she formulated Florida's first "Women's Worry Seminar," a mental health program which featured Dr. Joyce Brothers. Working with both the Auxiliary and her local PTA, she spearheaded the creation in 1967 of the highly-lauded "Block Home" child safety program, which was soon to be adopted by many schools in Pinellas and Manatee Counties. She eventually assisted the Florida State PTA in standardizing the program statewide. Kathleen was a member of the Museum of Fine Arts, the St. Petersburg Museum of History, and the St. Petersburg Yacht Club; and was a member of the Florida West Coast Doll Collectors, the United Federation of Doll Collectors, and the Doll Collectors of America. Over the years she embarked on and relished many travels with family and friends, including backcountry canoe trips, hiking in National Parks in the U.S. and Canada, as well as journeys throughout Asia and Europe. Predeceased by her husband Dr. Robert M. Hoffman, parents Margaret J. and Bowyer B. Byers, and two brothers, Raymond and Elmer, she is survived by sons Eric A. Hoffman, of Oakland, CA and Brett R. Hoffman (wife-Marti), of Big Flats, NY; daughter, Catherine H. Addler, of Brevard, NC; grandchildren Hunter and Nancy of Big Flats, NY; Kaden and Eric of Brevard, NC; brother Douglas Byers (wife-Ruth), of Chesapeake, VA, and numerous nieces and nephews. There will be a gathering from 5-7PM, on Wednesday, July 31, at Anderson McQueen Funeral Home, 2201 Dr. MLK Street North, In St. Petersburg. A memorial service will be held at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 1200 Snell Isle Boulevard NE, on Thursday, August 1, at 11AM, with a reception will follow. The family requests that donations be made in the memory of Kathleen Hoffman to WEDU/Channel 3, or Suncoast Hospice.