Frances Margaret Hoffman-Fenush's Obituary
Fran quietly slipped back into practice with the choir of angels, Sat. 11-5-2016. Born in
Buffalo NY, she was raised in Cheektowaga by her parents Mary I. and Joseph J. along
with her older sister, Mary C. and younger brother James J. She attended St. Al's
parochial school, Bishop Neumann High School, and Erie Community College where she
graduated as a COTA. She worked in OT at the West Seneca Development Center from
9-69 until 3-70 when she became the first employee of the soon to open Western NY
Children's Psychiatric Center. She remained in OT until 1980 when she graduated from
Empire State College, facilitating her transfer to CPC's Social Work staff. She retired in
2003 having specialized in assessment and discharge planning, as well as interfacing with
Family Court, the Juvenile Justice system, and multiple public and private treatment
facilities. Fran was an avid skier, member of the National Ski Patrol and a better than
average racquetball player. She also enjoyed the company of family and many friends,
entertaining, cooking, and sewing, along with multiple other artistic efforts.
Fran experienced her first MS exacerbation in 9-90. From 92-2006 she participated in
numerous investigational studies through Buffalo General Hospitals Baird and Jacob's
Institutes including the double blind which led to the approval of the second drug for the
treatment of MS, Avonex. She met her husband, Thomas, also a social worker, when he
transferred to CPC in 1980. The couple married 4-29-89 and moved to FL 10 years ago
after Tom's retirement from NYS IN 2005.
She is preceded into eternity by her parents and younger brother. She is survived by her
loving husband and caregiver, Tom Fenush, her sister, Mary C./Michael Maurer, a brother
in law, Michael Fenush, a sister in law, Susan Hoffman, 3 nieces and 1 nephew,
Shirley/Ken Brown, Laura Hoffman/Dave Johnson, Rebecca/Joseph Murphy, Eric/Lindsay
Maurer, 5 grand nieces and 2 grand nephews.
Flowers graciously declined. Memorials can be directed to the National MS Society
What’s your fondest memory of Frances?
What’s a lesson you learned from Frances?
Share a story where Frances' kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Frances you’ll never forget.
How did Frances make you smile?
