Arlene Hoffman, 93, a resident of Rainycrest Long Term Care facility in Fort Frances, Ont., passed away peacefully and well cared for on Saturday, December 20, 2025, just days before her 94th birthday and after nearly 20 years of advancing dementia. Arlene and her twin brother Arlen were born in Fort Frances on December 25, 1931.
Arlene leaves behind her daughter Shelley (Scott) Howell and a daughter-in-law, Dianne Hoffman. Also surviving are her grandchildren Trevor (Maryse) Wolff of St. Amable, Que., Scott (Amy) Hoffman of Murillo, Ont., Katrina Wolff of Cedar Rapids, IA, and Kristopher (Tori) Howell of Cedar Rapids, IA. She also leaves behind seven great-grandchildren: Elliott Wolff; Adeline, Everly, Lane and Ellie Hoffman; and Aiden and Lily Howell. Her passing has also saddened the hearts of her sister-in-love, Beverly Dawkins, as well as a number of nieces and nephews. Her husband of 64 years passed away before her, as well as their son Douglas, who left us far too soon.
Arlene and her twin brother Arlen were raised by Mae Noel of Fort Frances until Mae’s passing when the twins were near the age of 16. Arlen and Arlene lived apart from that point on, with Arlene lovingly cared for by Rhoda and Harold Garton from the age of 16 on until her marriage to Lloyd Hoffman in 1955. Her twin brother Arlen has also predeceased her.
Arlene has been a resident of Rainycrest Long Term Care facility since 2019, where she has received exceptional and loving care from her very compassionate and professional care team. Prior to her placement in Rainycrest, she resided at her and her husband’s dream property and home on Rainy Lake. Lloyd and Arlene’s home was a stone throw from the water. Together they enjoyed fishing and going out on their houseboat to relish the great outdoors with their friends, children, and grandchildren. As a young woman Arlene caught a huge walleye that hung on the wall of their family room with the caption under it “Arlene’s catch, can Lloyd match?” Lloyd spent the rest of his life trying to match that catch, unsuccessfully to his chagrin. Arlene went to teachers’ college out of high school and taught in Fort Frances in her younger years, mostly as a substitute teacher. Arlene enjoyed cooking and caring for her husband who was always throwing a curve ball into her day; asking her to run to Ackland’s for a part he needed ASAP or springing on her that there were three or four guys helping him over at the shop that would be joining him at the house for lunch in an hour. Arlene took it all in stride and with joy. Once her grandchildren arrived Arlene’s focus shifted to being the best Gramma in the world. She devoted day after day of her time reading to, walking with, cooking with, and just loving to the max the three grandchildren that lived near her in their hometown of Fort Frances. She would never deny a request to care in any way for any one of them. Anyone who encountered Arlene throughout her life loved her and appreciated the care and compassion she showed to all. Even through her advanced dementia Arlene maintained a loving attitude towards the world and those around her. She was and will be remembered always as a beautiful woman inside and out and the best Gramma in the world.
Arlene’s remains will be cremated. There will be no official service.
