Eleanor M. Hoffman

Eleanor Mount Hoffman, 97, passed away Friday, April 4, 2025, in Waco, Texas.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in the Chapel at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home with Rev. Lynn Willhite officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Waco, Texas. There will be a visitation in the Chapel from 12:00 p.m. until 1:00 p.m. prior to the funeral service.

Born in Waco, Texas, Eleanor graduated from Waco High School in 1944. She earned a Bachelor of Music degree from Baylor University, where she studied with Professors Robert Hopkins and Dr. Daniel Sternberg, the Dean of the School of Music.

Eleanor was highly skilled in improvisation at the piano, which allowed her to serve as an accompanist for multiple Baylor ensembles. She was the original staff organist for the KWBU Radio Choir, a position that highlighted her improvisational talents on both piano and organ. She also accompanied the Sunday morning broadcasts of the Baylor Radio Choir on KWBU and the Baylor A Cappella Choir.

For 30 years, Eleanor taught in the Waco Independent School District, including tenures at South Waco Elementary, Alta Vista Elementary, and Viking Hills Elementary, where she retired after inspiring countless children with her passion for music and choreography. Her teaching spanned a wide range of genres, from Bach to boogie, fostering a love of music in her students. She also led music education workshops for Region 12 and the Texas Music Educators Association.

While at Viking Hills, Eleanor trained many Baylor student teachers, instilling in them a love for music education. A highlight of her time at Viking Hills was preparing the 4th Grade Boys Choir Ensemble to perform St. Matthew Passion under the direction of Dean Daniel Sternberg and the Baylor Symphony Orchestra.

Additionally, she was selected to prepare a 5th Grade Ensemble to perform with Karen and Richard Carpenter, featuring their hit song “Sing.”

Eleanor composed and arranged a three-act musical comedy titled Hats Off, performed by 4th and 5th graders. The script, based on themes of patriotism and brotherhood, was a memorable project for her students.

In recognition of her dedication, the Waco Foundation honored Eleanor as one of six Outstanding Teachers of the Year, and she was also recognized by the Baylor School of Music for her outstanding service to music education.

Eleanor was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, the Women’s Educator Honor Society.

A proud member of the fifth generation of the Mount/Bruyere family to worship and serve at Austin Avenue Methodist Church, Eleanor later felt called to serve as Music Director at Bosqueville United Methodist Church, where she spent 20 years. At Bosqueville UMC, she directed both traditional and contemporary services and was actively involved in the Emmaus community.

Eleanor was known for her flexibility—often saying, “I am very flexible, as long as everything is done my way!”—and for this, she was affectionately called “Sarge.”

Eleanor married her high school sweetheart, Harvey Hoffman, in 1947, and they celebrated 69 years together.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harvey Hoffman; her parents, Milton Miller Mount and Ruth Bruyere Mount; her sister, Shirley Mount Long; and her daughter-in-law, Dina Wyatt Hoffman.

Survivors include her sister, Margaret Moore; her daughter, Peggy Hoffman Moore, and her husband, Barry Moore; her son, Paul Hoffman; her grandchildren, Emily Schroeder and her husband, Cody; Andy Hoffman and his partner, Samantha Holek; Matthew Stevens and his wife, Lindsey; and Skylar Stevens and his partner, Erica Ladd. She is also survived by many beloved great-grandchildren, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

The family expresses special love and appreciation for Eleanor’s caregiver and niece, Cathi Long, and her special friend and personal caregiver, Doris Chandler.

Memorials may be made to “WE CARE Palestine,” PO Box 3468, Palestine, TX 758701, or visit www.wecarepalestine.org, and to China Spring United Methodist Church Meals on Wheels.

The family invites you to leave a message or memory in Eleanor’s "Memorial Guestbook" at www.WHBfamily.com.