Linda Lee Hoffmaster

Linda Lee Hoffmaster, 77, of Lancaster, PA, passed away in her home the morning of July 11, 2023. Born October 4, 1945 in Ridgely, MD, she was the youngest child of Florence and Mallory B. Winstead, Sr. Linda grew up in Ridgely then moved with her parents to Pennsylvania when she was a teenager.

Her first job was at a creamery, working as a clerk, reporting to her father. Linda then took a position in the Statistics department at Blue Shield. Her next job sparked her career in computing. She was hired by Lukens Steel and trained to work key-punch machines, which were the new technology of the time. New Holland Equipment then hired Linda to run mainframe computers. There, she learned to write programs and her love of technology was cemented.

After some time away from the workforce while having children, Linda wanted to find a job but realized technology had changed. In 1984, now a single mother of five daughters, she enrolled at Consolidated School of Business to learn about modern computing. Before she graduated, she was offered a job there.

Prior to her retirement, Linda was the Data Systems Director at Consolidated School of Business in York, PA, where she dedicated over 30 years of her career. Her job included technical functions such as networking, programming, database design and management, server administration, writing curriculum, and teaching advanced computing courses. Linda was an energetic, caring, and “cool” teacher who was often a favorite of the students. She taught herself networking and other advanced computing skills, earning multiple certifications, and then taught her students these skills.

Linda was known as a brilliant person who could always make you laugh. She loved watching movies, visiting Rehoboth Beach, and spending time with her family. Linda was an avid reader, and through the years read thousands of books. Favorite authors included Stephen King and Catherine Coulter. She absorbed classic literature (Moby Dick was a favorite), history, westerns, and lots of computing books. She earned the family nickname “Travel Freak” because of her passion for exploring the world. Over the years, she traveled across the US, Canada, and Mexico as well as several trips abroad, including England, France, Italy, Ireland, Russia, Serbia, and Romania. A horror fan for decades, the trip to Romania was a bucket list item, as Linda had long been fascinated by the intersection of the Dracula legend and the real history of Vlad the Impaler of Transylvania. Linda was an amateur photographer who loved capturing images and creating photo books of her travels with her family. Her youngest daughter, Jamie, created illustrations based on Linda’s travels entitled, “Adventures with Woman.” Eventually “Woman” became the preferred term of affection used by all of her descendants.

Gifted with a lovely singing voice and impressive range, Linda was known for singing solos at work holiday parties. Her musical interests were broad, as she loved rock music, pop, R&B, country, opera, classical, and showtunes. She attended many concerts over the years, including acts such as Hall & Oates, Madonna, Guns and Roses, Metallica, Eddie Money, and “Weird” Al Yankovic. She even hosted a couple of her own “Rocky Horror Picture Show” parties for friends and colleagues!

One of Linda’s proudest accomplishments was earning her Bachelor’s Degree from Eastern University in 2013 at 69 years of age. In her admissions essay to Eastern she said that as a working, single mother, completing college had been a 47 year-old dream. Through the years she had taken courses at Drexel University (then Drexel Institute), Franklin and Marshall College, and York College. But as a working, single mother, she could not accomplish this goal earlier in life. Linda graduated with honors and was featured on the front page of the Lancaster New Era on Mother’s Day of 2013. Linda said this was the legacy she wanted to leave her grandchildren.

Linda’s legacy and her laughter will live on through her family who adored her. She is survived by two siblings: a sister, Rebecca (John) Wade of Denton, MD, and a brother, Mallory B. (Mary Lou) Winstead, Jr. of Ridgely, MD;

By 5 daughters:

Veronica Anne (Darrell) Gregson of Gap, PA, Jennifer L. (Ben) Carlson of Phoenixville, PA, Claire Marie (Jonathan) Coty of Belfield, ND, Rebecca Lynnette Hoffmaster of Allentown, PA, and Jamie Lee Hoffmaster of Lancaster, PA.

By 16 Grandchildren:

Mallory Gregson, John Gregson; Linda Lee McLennan, Jennifer Claire McLennan, Josephine Willow Coty, Destiny Marie Coty, Stephanie Lynn Magluilo, Michael Anthony Magluilo, Christina Marie Magluilo, Eddie Virgilio Hernandez, Linda Marie Hernandez, Jamie Lynette Hoffmaster Elaina Marie Hoffmaster, Nadia Isabelle Shields, LeeAlise Siena Hoffmaster, Tikey Broadus Hoffmaster

And by 9 Great – Grandchildren:

Lili Lee Alicen Root, Willow May Ferguson (grandchildren of daughter Claire Marie Coty) Aiyanna Sky Wagner, Dakota Sky Wagner, Thoren Sky Wagner (grandchildren of Rebecca Lynnette Hoffmaster) Ja’Naeh Rain Hoffmaster, Ja’lveon Xavier Engel-Hoffmaster, Ja’Lyem Tadeus Engel-Hoffmaster, Ja’Lysah Niarie Engel-Hoffmaster (grandchildren of Jamie Lee Hoffmaster).

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Celebration of Linda’s life on Saturday, August 26 at 11am.  Location is the Colonial Theatre,

227 Bridge Street, Phoenixville, PA, 19460

.  If you are interested in learning more, contact Jennifer Carlson at

jenniferelle7@gmail.com

.