Lisa H. Hoffman

Rochester – March 30, 1965-September 23, 2019.Entered heaven on Monday September 23, 2019. The celebration of Lisa’s life will be on Saturday, October 5. Mass will be at St. Mary’s Church in downtown Rochester at 9:00 am with a party following at the GEVA Theatre.

Lisa entered this world on March 30, 1965 with a smile on her face and never stopped smiling. At 14 months, she was diagnosed with retinoblastoma causing her blindness by the age of three. This challenge never slowed Lisa down or prevented her from living a life full of adventures. Lisa saw this world through her heart and her hands.

Lisa was a student at the original World of Inquiry School on Moran Street where she made lifelong friends. West Irondequoit school district welcomed Lisa and her love of learning with open arms. Lisa’s love for music offered her the opportunity to play her violin in the school orchestra, with Dr. Suzuki and at the Shakespeare plays at Highland Bowl. Lisa loved to dance. She was a member of a English Country Dancing group and looked forward to designing her ball gown for the annual ball. She loved it so much that she went by herself to an English Dance week long camp where she once again made lifelong friends.

Lisa earned her bachelor degree from the University of Buffalo, in psychology and Spanish. While in Buffalo she joined with the Society for Creative Anachronism. Lisa loved participating in Pennsic. Lisa’s proficiency in Spanish was put to the test when the family went on their annual trip to Puerto Vallarta (PVR) and she served as their interpreter. Lisa visited her Mexican family many times and was often complimented on how beautifully she spoke the language.

Lisa loved to read braille and had a voracious appetite for learning. She became quite an Anglophile in her early years with the highlight coming in 1976 in New York City when Lisa was introduced to Queen Elizabeth! This was just one of her many adventures. Also, Lisa knew how to ski, ride a bike, climb trees, and she earned the highest Girl Scout award possible. Many times Lisa traveled by herself to PVR to visit her Mexican family.

Lisa embraced so many things and loved all things tactile. She loved her hedgehogs, fairies, Madam Alexander dolls and Beatrix Potter collections. Her creativity with jewels and stones inspired her to make her own jewelry. Many of her friends wear her jewelry on a regular basis. And some of her jewelry has been for sale at the Memorial Art Gallery.

With her heightened senses, Lisa could identify many people by a single touch. Her other senses were so strong that she could identify someone by their footsteps and she rarely forgot a voice. Her heightened senses were exemplified when she was featured in an episode of the TV show, “That’s incredible”.

Lisa was a committed advocate for people with disabilities specifically the blind. She was instrumental in the design of the pedestrian bridge over 490 connecting South Clinton with downtown. With a great love of the theatre, Lisa brought audio description to GEVA THEATRE where she worked as a consultant for 25 years. Through her advocacy Lisa received countless honors and accolades, too many to list.

The ripple effect Lisa had on those she touched will her big hugs and infectious laugh will continue for years to come.

Lisa is survived by her Dad (Dan), her “Momma” (Barbara), the “best sister in the world” (Susan), and her four-legged lover from Shakespeare’s, “As you like it” (Orlando).

In lieu of flowers, consider donations to Geva Theatre or the Memorial Art Gallery in Lisa’s honor.