Mary Elizabeth (Beth) Powell Hoffmann died on June 8, 2011, in Harrisonville, Missouri, a few months before her 98th birthday. She is survived by a brother, Robert M. Powell of Barrington, Illinois, and by 12 nieces and 1 nephew in the United States and 1 in The Cayman Islands. She is the widow of the late Carl F. Hoffmann of New Orleans.

Mrs. Hoffmann was born in Columbia, Mo, in 1913 and moved to New Orleans in 1935 where she lived for the next 72 years before returning to Missouri after Katrina. She retired in 1980 after a 45 year career as Administrative Assistant to several successive Deans of Engineering at Tulane University. She was inducted into Tulane's School of Engineering Hall of Fame in the mid-1980's. She attended the University of Missouri and Tulane's University College. She was a member of the Tulane University Women's Association and of the Francois deLery Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Beth was one of ten children in the Powell household. Her mother died when Beth was only seven years old, so Beth helped rear her siblings, most of whom were energetic boys. Beth's life was one of tackling and overcoming obstacles. Her father died while Beth was a senior at The University of Missouri, leaving his children alone, the youngest of whom was twelve years old. After her father died, in 1935, Beth and her siblings packed up and moved to New Orleans, to live with her brother, Tip, who had recently been hired by The Army Corps of Engineers. Beth recalled that the brother and sister team made a total of $125 a month during those years of The Great Depression, and that together they were able to pay rent, feed and clothe their siblings. The Powell family remained close, even as the young adults scattered across the globe, most serving in World War II, and taking up residence in far-flung parts of the country, from Maryland to Hawaii.

Beth's long career at Tulane was something of a legend. When one of her nieces met an Air Force Officer in Taiwan who turned out to be a Tulane graduate, she asked him if he knew her Aunt Beth. He threw up his hands with joy and exclaimed, "Everyone knew Beth!! We all loved her." Throughout her long life, Beth continued to receive phone calls and letters from students, professors and Deans that she knew from her years at Tulane.

After Hurricane Katrina facilitated Beth's move to Missouri, her new home was kept busy with the daily telephone calls and cross-country visits of many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, as well as some very good friends, all of whom were members of the "Aunt Beth Fan Club." All of their spirits have been greatly enriched by being a part of the life of Mary Elizabeth Powell Hoffmann.

Beth was a vital, intelligent woman, who remained very interested in politics, good literature, world events, and the lives of her many friends and family members. She had strong opinions and she possessed a wonderful sense of humor. She was clear-minded and entertaining, even on the day of her death. Beth's unique personality and her love of life will be sorely missed by those left behind.

Members of the "Aunt Beth Fan Club" include nieces and nephews: Ransome Simoneaux of Louisiana; Mary Manary of Alabama; Michael Boutte of California; Ann Powell-Brown of Missouri; Marsha Burris of Missouri; Marcia Massey of Illinois; Pia Hall, of Little Cayman Island; Maria Powell of California; Julia Powell of Washington, D.C.; Amy Fowler of Maryland; Kathy Matusiewicz of Mississippi; Betsy McCaskill of Alabama; Barbara Hudson of Delaware; Sally Powell of Florida; their spouses, many adoring great, great-great nieces and nephews, and some wonderful, close friends who loved her as dearly as she loved them.
Inurnment will be in Louisiana.