Obituary Detail
April 09, 2025
Mary Louise Hauser Hoffman, Age:93
Mary Louise Hauser Hoffman was the sixth of seven children born to Albert Vernon Hauser and Grace Gregg Hauser in Litchfield, Illinois. Her childhood was spent in Litchfield, where the family split time between the family farm and the house in town, next door to the family bottling business Litchfield Bottling Works. Mary Lou attended Litchfield public schools and Illinois State University where she studied English and Social Sciences. She was first exposed to Unitarianism at Illinois State University where she studied under Unitarian professors and participated in a Unitarian college group.
January 29, 1954, Mary Lou and eloped with Bob Hoffman (Robert Noel Hoffman), who also grew up in Litchfield, IL, and was studying petroleum engineering at the Missouri School of Mines in Rolla, MO.
Mary Lou and Bob had three children, Julia Ellen, Amy Christine, and Karl William. They and Julie spent two years in Germany while Bob served in the US Army. Upon returning to the United States, they settled temporarily in Louisiana where Amy was born. Bob had a teaching fellowship at the Missouri School of Mines while obtaining his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees. Karl was born in Rolla. The family settled in Richardson, TX in 1964 when Bob took a job with Atlantic Richfield Company.
Mary Lou obtained her B.A. from Illinois State University. She returned to school in the late 1970s and received her master’s degree in social work with a concentration in criminal law from the University of Texas at Arlington.
Mary Lou had a busy and diverse professional life. She taught high school English and History, served as an election clerk or judge at Dallas County Voter Administration, documented reports of housing discrimination with the Greater Dallas Housing Opportunity Center, was a secretary for both Richardson and Plano Leagues of Women Voters, and was a contract social worker at Women's Way Back House.
Throughout her lifetime in Richardson, Mary Lou was an active volunteer, both in her church and politically. The Hoffmans joined First Unitarian Church of Dallas in the fall of 1964, and Mary Lou remained an active member until her death. Through First Unitarian Church, she participated in the Women’s Alliance, the Caring Committee, Dinners for Eight, Adventure Group, Family Circles, Friendship Circles, and the Social Justice Committee. She organized and ran the Journey Toward Wholeness monthly movie and discussion series from 2002 to 2020. Mary Lou also represented First Unitarian Church as a leader with Dallas Area Interfaith (DAI).
Upon arriving in Richardson, she joined the League of Women Voters of Richardson, where she made lifelong friends. Her League friends named themselves The Lunch Bunch and continue to meet monthly for lunch. She served for many years on the boards of the ACLU of Dallas and Texas ACLU, where she organized a corps of observers for the 1984 Republican Convention. Mary Lou was simultaneously involved in both the local ACLU office and Women’s Alliance at 1st UU church. She contributed to the studies about the availability of abortion that were used in Roe v Wade lawsuit and facilitated communication between the two organizations. In her own words: Working for choice convinced me it was crucial to be an active citizen and to advocate for women’s rights and other issues in an organized group. I worked with the League of Women Voters, especially in criminal justice, including working in that field. The pro-choice work led to a life-long interest in Constitutional Law, and involvement with the Dallas and Texas ACLU Boards, as well as the ACLU Observer Corps. The last two decades I have advocated through First Unitarian’s membership in Dallas Area Interfaith (DAI). DAI’s institutional organizing
means working on an equal basis with people who don’t look or worship like me, who have very different life experiences. It strengthens my UU life and First UU’s engagement with the larger community.
In addition to being an avid reader, Mary Lou was also an avid gardener. She focused on native and adaptive plants, and she recently became interested in pollinators so she could help provide food for butterflies and bees. She frequently invited friends to view her Byzantine gladiolus and shrimp plants when they were in bloom.
Mary Lou was diagnosed with colon cancer in April of 2024. She had surgery and took oral chemo until it stopped slowing the cancer down. She entered hospice care in February 2025. Her last year was one of the most challenging, but she remained optimistic that she would feel better and have more energy soon.
Mary Lou was pre-deceased by her parents Vernon and Grace Hauser, husband Bob Hoffman, siblings Ruth Anderson, Ray Hauser, Ann Jacobucci, and Rex Hauser, and by nephews Scott Hauser and Mark Hauser. She is survived by her children Julie Hoffman (Jim McGrath), Amy Hoffman-Shehan, and Karl Hoffman (Kathryn Hoffman), her grandchildren Scott McGrath, Jeff McGrath, Sarah Hoffman, Grace Hoffman and Mars Shehan, and great-grandchild Aoife Smart. She is also survived by her siblings Karl Hauser and Don Hauser (Fran Hauser), a host of nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews, and close friends made over the past 60 years.
A memorial service is planned for Saturday, May 31, 2025, at 1:00 pm at First Unitarian Church of Dallas, with a reception to follow in Channing Hall. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Mary Lou’s name to the ACLU or to First Unitarian Church of Dallas.
Condolences
Marla Loturco April 16, 2025
Friend of Amy Sherman , Texas
So sorry for your loss. It is so difficult to let our parents go.
Debra Rushing April 17, 2025
Friend of Amy Sherman , Texas
My condolences to this wonderful woman's family! Prayers for Peace!
Tanis Weiss April 17, 2025
Friend Hurst , Texas
We were friends for many years. I will miss her.
Rebecca April 17, 2025
Friend Denison , Texas
May the depth of your grief remind you of the depth of the love you shared. May her memory be a blessing.
Jouette Travis April 17, 2025
Friend Dallas , Texas
We always enjoyed Mary Lou coming to the Dallas Folk Music Society Hoots and she will be missed.
Marilyn Alexander April 18, 2025
Friend of Amy’s Colbert , Oklahoma
Amy, I am sorry for your loss. Your mother was a strong and insightful woman who made her mark in the world. You have that same self-direction and spirit.
Brad & Rena Douglass April 19, 2025
Friends Of Amy Sherman , Texas
We were saddened to hear about the passing of your mother. Our hope is that you find comfort in the loving memories you shared and the impact she had on those around her.
Jeannine Hatt April 20, 2025
Friend of the family Denison , Texas
I never met Mary Lou, but knew of the love and care that her daughter Amy seemed to have for her. And she had to be a remarkable woman because she raised a remarkable daughter What a wonderful and long life she had!
