Ann Hoffman Paradis-Maddalone's Obituary
Ann passed away December 25, 2012 after a short bout of pneumonia. It was Christmas night 39 years– almost to the hour – after the death of her first husband. She went peacefully while her daughter was holding her hand, at the conclusion of a lovely prayer by the hospital Chaplain. She knew she was loved. Ann was born October 30, 1931 to Wesley S. and Ellen (Smith) Hoffman in Oneonta, NY. She graduated from Oneonta High School in 1949, Stephens Junior College in 1951 and Syracuse University in 1953, majoring in Home Economics. In 1956 she married Robert J. Paradis of Akron, OH then assisted him with the management of his two companies: Radio Parts and Service Co. and the U.S. Naviguide Corp. Together they had two children, Kimberly and Robert John II. Bob passed away on Dec. 25, 1973 after a long battle with colon cancer. In 1989, she married long-time friend Guy Maddalone who died in 1990. Following her father and grandfather, Ann was an avid horsewoman loving all things equestrian. She specialized in three- and six-gaited Western riding, appearing in numerous horse shows and winning prizes. In her eyes all animals were wonderful, so she was always surrounded by cats, dogs, fish and birds. She never forgot to feed the backyard wildlife and took in any stray that came her way. Sharing her husband’s interest in aviation, she got her private pilot’s license in 1956. Ann returned to Oneonta soon after Bob’s death. She assisted with her family’s business, the Hoffman Dry Cleaning Co. Later she purchased the R. E. Brigham Jewelry Co., which she operated until 1983. In 1984, she joined the County Board of Elections where she served as the Deputy Republican Commissioner until her retirement in 1996. Ann moved to Memphis in 2005 to be closer to her daughter. Kim cared for her as her health declined from emphysema and congestive heart failure. In addition to her business endeavors, Ann was active in a number of civic and business organizations, volunteered at the hospital and for the Red Cross and had a passion for genealogy. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the General Society of Mayflower Descendants. She also loved to crochet, especially fancy dolls. However, her greatest delight was playing with her granddaughter. Ann is survived by her daughter Kim, son-in-law John D. Coryat and granddaughter Catherine P. Coryat of Memphis; son Robert John Paradis II of Oneonta, NY, brother-in-law Arthur N. Paradis of Akron OH, two nieces Shannon Hoffman Eggleston and Jacquelyn Hoffman Fedigan and numerous cousins. A celebration of her life will be held at Memorial Park Funeral Home, 5668 Poplar Av., Memphis on Thursday, January 3 2013. Visitation begins at 2:30 and the service will begin at 3:30. She will be interred at Glenwood Cemetery, Oneonta NY with four generations of her ancestors. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations in her memory be made to Mississippi Wildlife Rehabilitation, Inc. 9865 Green River Road Lake Cormorant, MS 38641. Ann was supportive of their mission to heal wild animals in distress and return them to nature.Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave. Memphis, TN 38119, (901)767-8930, “Behind the Stone Wall”.
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