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Vermont News Guide, 12/2/09
Anne Sykes Hoffman, 62, died on November 20, 2009 at Imperial Point Medical Center in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. She passed away peacefully after a short illness and was surrounded by family. Anne Hoffman was born in Glen Cove, Long Island, New York to Jean George Sykes and Macrae Sykes. She attended Friends Academy and graduated from Middlebury College in 1969 with a degree in Economics. She attained a master's degree from Columbia Teacher's College. In 1972, she married Anthony McLeod Hoffman who passed away in 2004. Over the years, she lived in New York, New York; Bedford, New York; Nantucket, Massachusetts; Hilton Head, South Carolina; and finally settled in Peru, Vermont.
Anne was an accomplished sailor, equestrian, and bridge player, achieving Life Master status many times over. She enjoyed working with young adults as a sailing coach and coach of U.S. Junior Bridge teams. She was a teacher, a realtor, earned a contractor's license, and developed real estate for many years. Survivors include daughter Jean Hoffman Laboy of Stoneham, Massachusetts; son Geoffrey Christopher Hoffman of New York, New York; and brother James William Sykes of New York, New York. Services will be held December 5 at 1p.m. at the Peru Congregational Church on Main St. in Peru, Vermont, 05152 with a reception following at the Peru Town Center. Flowers may be sent to the church and donations can be made to the local chapter of the ASPCA: Second Chance Animal Center, P.O Box 620, Shaftsbury, Vermony 05262
VT--Published in the Bennington Banner on 11/28/2009
Anne Sykes Hoffman
PERU Anne Hoffman of Peru, 62, died on Nov. 20, 2009 in Ft Lauderdale, Fla. after a short illness.Survivors include daughter, Jean Laboy of Stoneham, Mass; son, Geoffrey Hoffman of New York, N.Y.; and brother James Sykes of New York, N.Y.
FUNERAL NOTICE: Services will be held Dec. 5th at 1 p.m. at the Peru Church in Peru, with a reception following at the Town Center.
Jack made the first reply; This is an excerpt:
"...What a shock and tragedy. Of course, you'll remember Anne was the love of my life at 15 in the 9th grade.
I have fond memories of her and although we never saw each other after high school, I am saddened and surprised by her
passing. I remember the fun we had on the ski trips in 9th grade..."
Holly Russell wrote:
I shall always have the fondest memories of Anne, particularly for her participation in sports where she was the best
of competitors, for the Variety Show in the Girl's Gym where she made us laugh so hard as one of the Korny Sisters, for
her excellence in academics where she set the bar so high, and, most importantly, as a friend to us all and the life of
the party. She is dearly missed, but never forgotten .
Let's all try to get together for our 50th. I'd really like that memory too. As a PS, Holly corrected this email to say that she meant to write "45th" reunion
Sally Edwards Willits wrote:
"I was so saddened to hear this news. Anne was a person so alive, so active, it is hard to believe she is gone.
I am doubly sorry that she was so close, in Ft Lauderdale, and I did not know to make contact.
We had some great fights in second grade regarding the Dutch House. We both poked each other with brooms as I recall. In the forehead!! My mother and Jean Sykes had some lively telephone conversations about that.
The old lower school was a story unto itself. Anne and I never made the check plus penmanship wall.
I am so sorry for her family. 62 is way too young."
Richard Springsteed wrote:
The sad thing is that we often don't get to communicate what we would have if we could have... I don't think Anne and I
ever buried the hatchet from our grade school days when she made the most of my temper, resulting in a few overturned desks
in the sixth grade classroom. Luckily for me someone figured out what happened and I was exonerated. But to be really
exonerated I should have gotten back in communication with Anne. So I vote 'aye' for the 50th as well. (Holly, Michael,
not the 45th?) And as for Anne, my apologies for not communicating over the years. We'll see you back here in another life. Bye for now.
Michael Bruce wrote:
"...Always tough to lose someone so young, I turn 62 in a few weeks so the early departure of anyone in the same cohort reminds
me of how fleeting our presence here is. I always enjoyed her sense of humor and drive to succeed at whatever she did. I
second Holly’s suggestion of a 50th , hopefully we will not have to drink too many toasts to absent friends..."
Annamarie Mazieka wrote:
"...it's always so hard to lose a peer. Anne and I have known each other since 4th grade at Friends. Our moms were very
close friends and Anne and I spent quite a bit of time together over the years. I remember spending the night at Anne's,
sometime during high school, and we drove her mother crazy-she came into the bedroom so many times, but like typical teenager
s all we did was giggle as soon as she left. I don't think either of us slept that night. After my father died, many years
ago, she attended his memorial service in NYC during the summer. I was so surprised and pleased to see her there-it meant
a great deal to me. I will always have very fond memories of Anne and will keep in family in my prayers."
"...Hope to see you at a future reunion. I will be seeing Wendy next month and I hope Barbara in March."
Robin Neuschel Reeves wrote:
"I am just undone by this news. I actually took a lengthy trip down lower school memory lane not too long ago, when I
found an ancient picture of Anne, Sally, Peggy Attridge, Phebe Alice and me dressed in medieval finery for the 5th grade
play -- a smiling "Miss Bunny" standing behind us. My first thought was, "God, I was an ugly kid", and, quite frankly,
none of us would have qualified for a "Little Miss" beauty pageant (sorry, ladies), but we all felt beautiful that day,
in our silks and satins, with pointy hats and trailing veils. Anne was just beaming, with that "ain't life grand" smile
that lit up every room and warmed every heart. She was such a central figure in my childhood years -- as you all were --
I just can't get my head around the fact that she's gone. Life is fragile -- let's hang on to each other.
Love you guys --
Robin
Eddie Boyd wrote:
It is so unbelievable to hear about Anne, that it has taken me several days to respond. Her early passing just doesn't
seem to correspond to her fabulous personality.
You see, she didn't just light up the room for me - she lit up my whole life! One day while sitting in chemistry class, she passed me an endearing note from a back row. From that moment on, we began a loving friendship and shared our deepest thoughts and hopes.
She and I were among several of us who started school in kindergarten together, and as I recall, she was one of the first to learn to read from our Dick, Jane, and Sally books. No surprise there, bless her soul!
Carol Curran Lyall wrote:
"What a sad and amazing shock. To think the epitome of the FA Amazon could pass away at age 62 is devastating.
I will always remember Anne's enthusiasm for just about anything. Her interests were many and her approach to life always optimistic.
We had such good times playing for Parm and being on her teams together. I have to say those athletic memories of FA are highlights.
I agree, we should have a 45th for sure. And maybe we should consider having additional reunions around the country in between the 5 year marks.
Losing Anne makes me miss our class very much.
Take care,
love,
Carol
Angela Van Rynbach Jan 31, 2010
Dear Bob,
Thank you for sending me the notice about Anne Sykes Hoffman. I was so sad to learn that she had passed away. She was such a hearty and positive person all through our school years. I remember meeting her at our 25th reunion and catching up on her family and her life in all those intervening years.
We will miss her spirit and enthusiasm,
Angela Van Rynbach
Anne's Christmas letter:
December 2006
Tis' the season. Merry Merry to all.
News from 2006. I went scuba diving in the Turks and Caicos in February. In May I cruised the Dalmation Coast of Croatia with 42 other people from Middlebury College and Williams College- fascinating. 4 days in Rome on my own, then another week in a little bus with 14 others along the Amalfi Coast in Italy - beautiful.
I came home to Hilton Head and finished the sale of WHHI, my TV station. Then to Vermont for the summer and stayed. I am back here fulltime and do not plan on going back to SC until my house sells and I have to go pack it up and move the "stuff" north. My very sweet golden retriever, Susie, died in October. Very sad.
Geoffrey is still at Merrill Lynch in NYC and back rowing again actively for the NY Athletic Club.
Jean and her husband Pete LaBoy are still living in Stoneham MA. Jean started a new job in June with Comcast as a communications technician. She really likes it.
HAPPY NEW YEAR and best wishes to all.
Anne.
*********
This is Anne's 2005 Christmas letter:
Dear Family and Friends,
"When one door closes, another opens." In 2004, dear Tony passed away. In August 2005, our daughter Jean got married to Pete Laboy. As I walked her down the aisle in place of her father, I was overwhelmed with emotion and the sense that her dad "was there" in the minds, hearts, and souls of all of us who were blessed to have known him. He was smiling (at this good union). Our son Geoff was Jean's "maid of honor".
Jean and Pete bought a small 1950s ranch house in Stoneham Ma. They have spent many hours making this house their home.
After five years working at Cantor Fitzgerald, Geoff moved to Merrill Lynch in the Global Markets & Investment Group. He is working downtown at the World Financial Center accross the street from his former office in the World Trade Center. Geoff continues to row at the New York Athletic Club. A back injury prevented him from finding the success he saw last year, but he is recovering and plans to continue to race.
I continue to run the TV station in Hilton Head. My wonderful team at the station allows me to get away to my other home in Peru Vt. In September I spent two weeks in Tuscany, Florence, and Venice with two bright, energetic women. In November I spent a week diving the Cayman Islands. This was my first dive without Tony. It was a challenge, but a triumph for my spirit.
Happy Holidays from the Hoffman Family.
*******************
DECEMBER 2004: Anne sent a Christmas letter:
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year.
2004 has been quite a year. As most of you know, my dear husband Tony, age 63, died of a heart attack on February 20th while exercising on his rowing machine.
I also lost my brother Dick Sykes, age 64, six months later also of a heart attack.
He had just finished sailing a race in Nantucket.
About Anne:
I am missing Tony. We shared 33 years and two wonderful children together.
When Tony died I took over the running of our TV station, WHHI.
I restructured it and have created a hardworking, effective team.
About Jean:
In November, Pete Laboy asked her to marry him. We are now planning a small wedding near Stoneham, Massachusetts in August. She continues her business, Wakefield Therapeutic Massage.
About Geoff:
He has had an amazing year rowing for New York Athletic Club, in spite of taking ten days in February and five days in May when he and Stephanie came down to Hilton Head to help me with Tony's affairs.
At the National Championships in Indianapolis this summer, he won the Men's Senior Single Event and the Men's Senior Double (with his buddy PJ).
In the fall he won the bronze medal at the Head of the Charles (Boston).
And he won the Green Mountain Head (Putney, VT)
-the Head of the Connecticut (Middleton, CT)
-the Head of the Schuykill (Philadelphia, PA)
-the US Rowing "Speed Orders" (Princeton) which contributed to his being invited to train in San Diego for two weeks at the Olympic Training Center with the National Team this January.
His previously unnamed single rowing shell finally got a name on its hull this fall, "Anthony Hoffman".
He still works in New York City for E Speed, a division of Cantor Fitzgerald.
About Tony:
Tony was a humble man who did not need to tell people about his accomplishments.
Many people have said since he died, "I did not know he had a Harvard MBA and was the leading analyst on Wall Street in Broadcasting for several years."
During Tony's two and a half years at WHHI, I watched him flourish both personally and professionally as he became part of the fabric the community of Hilton Head. He earned great respect and admiration from those who got to know him.
Tony was a compassionate, proud, caring husband and father. He was exceptionally patient, generous and kind. And he loved his two Golden Retrievers and one Persian cat. Tony was a quiet man with incredible credentials.
I am in Vermont for Christmas. I hope this letter finds you and your family healthy and happy.
With love,
Anne
March, 2003: Anne emailed us a copy of her Christmas card. I took the liberty of searching her TV station's web address and linking to it.
Not content to stay in one place very long, we sold our first home in Hilton Head in November and moved across the Moss Creek Plantation to a house on the marsh (in the picture, below) with access to deep water (please note the new address; 37 Peninsula Drive).
The house has a great location, but needed extensive renovation to suit our needs. We bought it in May and have been working on it since we closed. We moved in Nov. 1 and have been living with plumbers, electricians, masons and painters ever since. Early next year a dock will be constructed, allowing us to take a small boat out into the creek and all the way to the inland waterway if we want. In last year's letter we talked about our move to Hilton head and the purchase of WHHI-TV, the Island's local TV station. Since that time we have been immersed in the minutia of running the station, upgrading the on-air personnel and the equipment, introducing new programming and trying to get it to make a profit. Our current project is to expand our coverage early next year by delivering a signal to the cable system on the mainland which serves Bluffton, Hardeeville and part of Beaufort. Hopefully this will bring in enough additional advertising to pay for the expansion.
Tony has been converted into the station's utility player; on some days he is the cameraman on a particular show, on other days he holds the boom mike or carries some other piece of equipment to and from the show location. He even hosts several shows of his own; "Home and Garden" and the weekly "Financial Update". In addition to handling most of the human resources issues at the station, Anne has become the "Emeril" of Hilton Head. Her show "Specialty of the House", takes the viewers behind the scene, in the kitchens of the Island's top restaurants, to watch the chef prepare his signature dishes. The show has given her instant recognition where ever she goes around the Island. We also are treated like royalty whenever we go to one of the featured restaurants.
Anne's back surgery was hugely successful; she is without pain and the surgeon is amazed at the speed with which she was able to resume normal activities. Although she is playing much less bridge than she used to, she plays occasional games of golf; especially when Geoff comes to visit.
Geoff has had quite a year since his narrow escape on 9/11. He worked for months out of temporary space in New Jersey, helping Cantor Fitzgerald get back in operation. In July, Cantor and Geoff's division (E-Speed) moved into permanent headquarters on Lexington Avenue in midtown Manhattan. The view is not like the original 103rd floor office, he is now 99 floors lower, but at least he is around to see what there is.
Geoff and long time companion Steph were apart for several months starting a few weeks before 9/11. Geoff compensated for the increased free time by jumping back into rowing. He lost a huge amount of weight and achieved an all time personal best on the erg (rowing machine) in February. He now competes in both double and single sculls for the New York Athletic Club. He won the Mystic CT regatta in his class and has had respectable finishes in several larger events. Not bad for someone who has been rowing a scull for only a couple of months.
Steph decided that life without Geoff was not for her so they are back together and plans are being made to move in together next year, when both of them will be losing their current roommates.
Jean and a much larger Salem (the cat) still live in Salem, MA.
We have not been able to return to Vermont as often or for as long as we had hoped; the pressure of running the station and the move made that difficult. But we will be up there during the last half of December.
If you are anxious for some skiing or golf or just relaxation in the Northern or Southern headquarters of the Hoffman Clan give us a ring. We have ample guest facilities at both locations.
04-01-02: Lots of news and a picture from Anne. The following is from Anne and Tony's 2001 Christmas letter:
The past couple of years since our last communication has been filled with many changes. First you will notice the address change: we are now permanent residents of Hilton Head, South Carolina. The move was prompted by a desire for a lifestyle change and a unique business opportunity. In May we came down to look at a TV station in Hilton Head which was for sale. We like what we saw and in the space of a long weekend we agreed to buy the station (WHHI-TV) and a house in Moss Creek Plantation on the mainland, just across the bridge from the island. This plan required that we sell our beautiful home in Nantucket; happily for us we got a good price just before the market collapsed. Although we both found it very hard to leave Nantucket, it now seems a distant memory, as we become integrated into our new life.
Tony and Anne are both working full time at the station; learning the ropes, changing programming and procedures and searching for new sources of advertising revenues. Anne has already done a couple of interview shows, both in the studio and on location. She is currently engaged in the planning for her "Chef Show" which will debut in early spring. Look out Oprah and Emeril.
In spite of the move and the new business, Tony will continue working with partner Dave Schutz in their broadcast consulting and appraisal business, Hoffman Schutz Media Capital. Anne became a licensed Contractor in Massachusetts five years ago and then formed Nantucket Waterview Associates to develop residential real estate. She has completed five high end spec homes and has even appeared in an episode of "Dream Builders" on Home & Garden Television which covered the move of a house on one of her properties. Anne's company has a number of real estate development projects yet to be completed, so our ties to the island are not completely severed. Her brother Dick and wife Mary are now permanent residents of Nantucket as well.
On the health front, the last 18 months have been trying. Tony's passion for tennis led to an operation to repair a torn rotator cuff in July 2000. Unfortunately his recovery from that procedure was interrupted in November by a Triple Bypass operation. His recovery from that was relatively quick and he now feels like he is 10 years younger. The shoulder was still giving a bit of pain so he had a brief arthroscopic procedure a few weeks ago, which should have him back on the court by February.
Unfortunately, the next medical adventure will be Anne's. By the time you read this Anne will have had a Spinal Fusion operation to eliminate the debilitating pain she has been suffering for several months. This will involve a long period of recuperation and physical therapy with the objective of allowing her to resume all normal activities within about six months.
The greatest gift we received this past year concerned son Geoffrey (26). Geoff graduated from Cornell in 1997, with a Masters in Computer Science. While he was there he stroked the Varsity Crew for three years. After graduation he went to the National Team Training Camp and his boat received a Bronze medal in the National Championships. Geoff worked for two years at Lucent Technologies, but left before it imploded, joining the E-speed division of Cantor Fitzgerald in August 2000. His office was on the 103rd floor of the WTC North Tower, the first one to be hit by a hijacked plane. The plane destroyed the 96th through the 103rd floors on its initial impact. Happily for us, Geoff worked late the night before and was in the shower back at his apartment at 8:46AM. Unfortunately, Tony spent 35 terrifying minutes trying to get in touch with Geoff, after the networks broke into their regular coverage with a picture of the building with a large hole filled with flames right where his office had been. A return call from him, after he noted on the way out of his apartment that his answering machine had reached maximum capacity, was the most wonderful communication we have ever received.
Cantor lost 734 of its 1,000 employees and Tony lost friends at several firms in that tragic event. We are very grateful that the good Lord spared Geoff so he could play a significant role in rebuilding the company's electronic trading operation, from borrowed office space in New Jersey.
Daughter Jean (25) completed all of the requirements for National Certification as a Massage Therapist and is currently in search of a location near her home in Salem, Massachusetts where she can practice her new trade. The latest addition to her household is an adorable kitten named Salem.
Anne has devoted a large part of her life to the game of Bridge over the last few years. Since becoming a Life Master in 1991, she has ascended to a position where she is one of the top women players in the US. She has also served as the Coach of the US Junior Bridge Team. That role has taken her all over the world, most recently to tournaments in Holland and Scotland with the team that won the World Championship. She has been very active in the American Contract Bridge League where she currently serves as President of the New England District. Although she plays less regularly now than she did before our move, she will participate in all of the New England tournaments as well as a few in the Southeast.
We are enjoying the social life in the Hilton Head area and are planning on playing a lot more golf so we can turn in some lower scores when we return each summer to "Rockbottom", our mountain top home in Peru, VT.
Please let us know if you are ever planning to come through our area. We have two nice guest rooms and there are lots of fun things to do in the area.
We hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday season.
Subj: Re: Meeting House news
Date: 5/17/2001 5:26:25 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From: annehavoc@hotmail.com (Anne Hoffman)
To: RTilden@aol.com
Hi there,
I hope this is better late than never.
My husband, Tony, and I moved to Peru, Vermont about six years ago. We spent summers in Nantucket for 15 years. Six years ago I became a Mass. licensed contractor, started a real estate development company and have built several "spec" houses. Our son, Geoffrey, 26, lives in NYC and our daughter, Jean, 25, lives outside of Boston. Last week , we decided to sell our own house in Nantucket, buy a house in Hilton Head for the winters and spend summers back in Vermont. I will continue to do my Nantucket building thing from afar.
There is a fascinating business opportunity in Hilton Head in the broadcasting industry that my husband and I are hoping to buy and run. I play bridge all over the world and have captained several USA Junior teams, as recently as two weeks ago in Holland.
Bob, thank you SO much for this web page. It so good to recconect with everyone that we all really grew up with, and to see where our lives have taken us.
Big hug,
Anne
This note was received too late to include in the Meeting House news. I am curious to know more about the Hilton Head opportunity, but more curious is the concept of Anne as a contractor! It would be interesting for her to narrate the chain of events that took her there. ...Bob