Karen H Hoffman

Karen Kohler Hartmann Hoffman, affectionately known as Mouse, passed away quietly at home in Redding, Connecticut on August 21, 2024 at the age of 75. Born in New York, New York, on October 23, 1948, she was the daughter of the late Mary Ridder Hartmann and Dr. Hans A. Hartmann.

Karen graduated from the Chapin School in New York and later attended Rollins College and received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

In 1969, she served as the maid of honor for her closest childhood friend where she met the best man, Robert (Rip) Hoffman. Their connection was immediate and by January 1971 they wed and spent their early marriage living in Chicago, California and an unforgettable year in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Karen and Rip settled in southern New Jersey and after a brief career as a 4th grade and middle school teacher, she focused her time raising her two daughters and volunteering.

In 1988, they moved to Weston, Connecticut where she formed deep roots in the community and kept an active social calendar. 

Over the years Karen served as the President of the Parent Teacher Association and Board of Trustee member at Greens Farms Academy, taught adults to read at the Mercy Learning Center, happily served as the Registrar for the Lutheran Summer Gathering at Silver Bay, and volunteered as the Secretary for the Chapin School Class of 1966 for over 40 years. 

She was a faithful member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood and founding member of the Vermont Book Club. She was an avid golfer at Aspetuck Valley Country Club and with the Longshore Women's Golf Association, and played weekly bridge with her friends at Brooklawn Country Club and in Norwalk, CT for years. 

Karen and Rip spent countless hours rooting for the UConn Lady Huskies basketball team. She cherished the 50+ year tradition of celebrating Thanksgiving with her extended family, vacations at Silver Bay at Lake George, trips to the theater and travel and time spent with family and friends. She loved to sing loudly in public without a care in the world. She was a joy to be around and her warmth and friendliness were unmatched. She will be remembered for her vibrant spirit, radiant smile, kindness to others and unwavering and genuine positivity.

Karen is survived by her loving husband of 53 years, the Rev. Dr. Robert (Rip) Hoffman, and their two daughters, Sarah Hoffman of New York, NY and Debby Hoffman of Wilton, CT, her son-in-law Matthew Mulhearn of New York, NY, her three sisters Mary Eugenia Myer of Concord, MA, Louise McGinnes of Wellesley, MA and Annelie Hartmann of New York, NY as well as her beloved in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews and vast network of friends she amassed during her 75 years. 

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her brother Peter T. Hartmann and her stepmother Anneliese Buss Hartmann.

Karen’s family thanks Dr. Mitchell Clark of Yale New Haven Health and Dr. Carol Aghajanian of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center for their outstanding care over the last 20 months.

In keeping with Karen's wishes, the family will hold a celebration of life service on Thursday, September 5th, at Saugatuck Congregational Church in Westport, CT at 10:00 a.m. A reception will follow from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Aspetuck Valley Country Club in Weston, CT. All are welcome. Attendees are encouraged to wear pink, her signature color, or anything that inspires happiness. Those wishing to honor her memory may make a contribution to Silver Bay YMCA or to a charity of their choice.