Alyce Hoffman

With a warm smile and a generous heart, Alyce Hoffman lived a life rich in faith and family. Alyce led with her heart in all things, welcoming each moment as a gift and embracing others with love and acceptance. She found great joy in caring for others, especially children. Whether at work, on the road, or at home, Alyce ensured the comfort of those around her. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, Alyce will long be remembered by those she so dearly loved.

1964 found the country staggering through continued Civil Rights uprisings and the war in Vietnam. While this was a time of turmoil, it was also a year of progress and creative genius. As President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 into law, The Beatles took the world and America by storm. Beatlemania went into overdrive as they released a series of number-one hits, including "I Want to Hold Your Hand" and "All My Loving." Other British groups also found success. The Rolling Stones and The Animals, together with the American Talent of The Supremes and Bob Dylan, many say this was one of the greatest years for music in the last century. During this time of innovation and change, Raymond and Mary (Simons) Meints welcomed their daughter Alyce to their family on September 17, in Arvada, Colorado.

Alyce attended Arvada West Schools and met her future husband in 1987. The couple dated for a time before getting engaged in 1988. They married in 1989 and started their lives together in Colorado.

As the economy was rough in Colorado at the time, Gary's brother shared with him that there was work in Michigan. In hopes of building the life they desired, the couple moved to Michigan, where Gary grew up. Both Alyce and Gary found work and built their home. The two were delighted to welcome their son Matthew to their family.

Alyce worked in daycare. She loved her career, especially working at the YMCA. Alyce took time off after having Matt but quickly returned to the Y once Matt turned three, happily bringing him to work with her. Alyce and Matt spent much time together, particularly at the Y, where he would eventually worked in maintenance. They enjoyed working together and often shared lunch during their shifts.

A woman who was easily content, Alyce relished family and a simple life. Vacations to Colorado, where they traveled over The Divide into high country and visited her parents, were always a joy. Alyce could always find a reason to go to A&W for lunch and loved sightseeing, relaxing, and walking the beaches in South Haven and St. Joe with Gary. Trips to Mackinac and the Upper Peninsula were favorites despite Alyce's futile efforts at spotting moose.

All who knew Alyce were familiar with her passion for moose. She collected moose figurines and stuffed animals, and most of her clothes had moose designs. Any time she traveled, she'd ensure that the route took her through moose territory with the greatest probability of sighting her favorite animal. While driving through the mountains, Gary would tell "moose girl" to keep a lookout for moose. She'd keep her eyes peeled, and the moment she spotted one, they'd have to pull over so Alyce could take pictures and watch them. Alyce's love for these gentle giants even inspired her to name their family dog Moose.

Faith was always important to Alyce. She attended St. Monica's for a time and was always a steadfast believer, even when she didn't attend church regularly. She was quite talented and enjoyed making crafts and quilts in her spare time. Alyce was happiest when sharing the good company of her family. She was delighted to become a grandmother and treasured every moment she shared with Mia and Wesley. She enjoyed coloring with them and was fondly known as an excellent teddy bear technician. They often brought their stuffies for Grandma to lovingly repair. When she was sick, her grandkids' visits were powerful medicine.

A gift to all who were blessed to know her, Alyce inspired us to live wholeheartedly, delight in the beauty around us, treat others with kindness, and enjoy the simple things in life. Whenever we explore Lake Michigan's beaches, watch for moose, color with kids, choose faith over fear, and travel through the mountains with our beloved, we celebrate the countless ways Alyce made the world a better place. In this way, we keep her beautiful memory alive and inspire others as she so inspired us.

Alyce Hoffman, age 60, died on March 5. Alyce was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Dianna. Surviving are her husband, Gary; son, Matt (Jacquelynne) Hoffman; grandchildren, Mia and Wesley; siblings: LeRoy Meints, Barbara Krayenhagen, June Ruppel, and Sharon Ottersberg; and many nieces and nephews.

Please join us for a Life Story Service on Tuesday, March 11 at 11AM at Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900. Burial to follow at Hope Cemetery. Celebrate Alyce's life online by sharing your favorite stories and photos on her dedicated webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com. Memorial contributions may be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.