Thelma Milgrom Hoffman

Thelma Milgrom Hoffman, 100, died of natural causes at home in Savannah, Georgia on November 24, 2025. 

Born in Chester, Pennsylvania, on November 3, 1925, to Bessie T. Milgrom (Sherwin) and Benjamin Milgrom, Thelma was predeceased by her beloved husband of 70 years, Dr. Frank Hoffman, and son, Fred Hoffman. She is survived by her daughter Barbara Hoffman (Paul Shapiro), granddaughters Emily Shapiro (Jon Estreich) and Sarah Shapiro (Alex Hardt), nieces Ellen Hackman, Holly Flesh, and Diane Cummings, and nephew, Mark Hackman.

In 1929, when her father became ill with tuberculosis, Thelma moved with her mother from Chester, Pennsylvania, to Brooklyn, New York, where she was raised by her grandmother while her mother worked to support them throughout the Depression. After graduating from Brooklyn College and earning a master’s degree from Teachers College, Columbia University, she met the love of her life, Frank Hoffman, in the Catskills in 1947. They married in 1949 and lived in Manhattan while Frank completed his medical training. Thelma taught health education in New York City Public Schools until they moved in 1952 to Savannah, where Frank practiced ear, nose, and throat surgery for more than 50 years.

Thelma helped Frank set up and run his medical office. She continued teaching at Congregation Mickve Israel and in an innovative American history-through-dolls program in Savannah’s public schools. Thelma served the Savannah community as a volunteer with many organizations, including the Savannah Science Museum, Hadassah, Cub Scouts, and American Cancer Society.

A gifted athlete, Thelma played golf well into her 80s. Additionally, she was a skilled painter and avid mahjong and Scrabble player.

But most of all, Thelma was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. For decades, Thelma graciously hosted large family gatherings every Thanksgiving. She indulged Frank’s love of traveling, taking dozens of cruises to explore the world, and his love of Tybee, where they built a home to host generations of family and friends. As Nana to granddaughters Emily and Sarah, she showered affection and beamed with pride, traveling often to New Jersey and Los Angeles to share in every milestone. She will be deeply missed as the beloved matriarch of the family who adored her. 

The family is thankful for her devoted, compassionate caregivers—Sharon Telfair, Wanda Edwards, and Ashley Moran. Their attentive, skilled, and loving care of Frank and Thelma will never be forgotten.

 A graveside service at Bonaventure Cemetery will be conducted by Rabbi Robert W. Haas on Sunday, November 30, at noon. 

Contributions are welcomed to Cancer Nation (formerly the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship), www.canceradvocacy.org or to Congregation Mickve Israel, https://www.mickveisrael.org/.