Cora Jean (Bonesteel) Hoffay

Sand Lake - Cora Jean Bonesteel Hoffay, 92, died peacefully at home Thursday, September 15, 2016 surrounded by her family.

Born February 14, 1924 in Troy, NY, she was the daughter of the late Millard and Adellia King Bonesteel.  She was predeceased by her husband, Richard W. Hoffay in 1983, her daughter, Anna Hoffay Gaylord in 2010, her son John R. Hoffay in 2014, and her sister, Mildred Bonesteel Murray in 2001.  She is survived by her sons, William H. Hoffay and Robert D. (Janet) Hoffay, both of West Sand Lake, her daughter Martha Hoffay (Peter) Plante of Walnut Creek, California, and son in law James A. Gaylord of Delanson.  She is also survived by her grandchildren Richard Gaylord, Jennifer Gaylord (James) Daly, Erin Hoffay, Richard (Laura) Hoffay, Megan Hoffay, Nicole Hoffay and Dena Whitesell (Adam) Vogt plus 7 great grandchildren.

Cora grew up at Snyders Corners and graduated from Averill Park High School in 1942.  Before marrying Richard in 1945 she worked as a secretary for Faith Mills in Averill Park then as a secretary and bookkeeper for Montgomery Ward in Menands.  Shortly after they were married, Cora and Richard began building Hoffay Farms on Sheer Road in West Sand Lake.  Alongside Richard, Cora became a farmer in every way, feeding animals, milking cows, even driving tractor on occasion.  She was also the farm's secretary, banker, bookkeeper and tax preparer, and doing all this while being a full time housewife and raising 5 children.

She's been a lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church having taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School for many years and she served on the church council.  Cora reared her 5 kids through multiple 4-H projects and was a 4-H leader.  She also taught quilting at the Rensselaer Senior Center and for the last several years has knitted dozens of mittens for needy children in the Averill Park School District, Trinity Lutheran Church and St. Jude's Church.  Cora's other volunteer contributions include being a delegate to Easter Milk Producers statewide meetings, board member of Farmer's Home Loan Association, Sand Lake Town Planning Board, Rensselaer County Cooperative Extension and Rensselaer County Home Bureau.

For the past 2 and a half years, due to her failing health, Cora has made her home on Cranberry Way in Taborton where she has received compassionate and loving care from Michelle Hoffay Larson and her husband Dallan and their children, Ayanna, Maria and Isaac.  The family is eternally grateful to them for the extraordinary care, love and support Cora received.

Relatives and friends may call at the DeGraaf-Bryce Funeral Home, Inc.  4392 Route 150 West Sand Lake on Sunday, September 18, 2016 from 3-5 PM. 

Funeral service will be held Monday at 10 AM at Trinity Lutheran Church Route 4363 Route 150 West Sand Lake with Rev. Lauretta Dietrich, officiating.

Interment will be in  Elmwood Cemetery West Sand Lake.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in memory of Cora Hoffay to Sand Lake Veterans Memorial, 171 Biittig Road, Averill Park, NY 12018. 

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