Joyce Darlene Hoffman passed away peacefully on April 19, 2025 at the age of 97.  She was born November 1, 1927 to Swedish immigrants Malte Edwin and Elizabeth Lydia (Tropp) Holmberg in Rockford, Illinois (often referred to as Swedetown, USA).  Being born on All Saints Day, she liked to refer to herself as a saint.  But for those of us that knew her well, feisty, with a mind of her own, seems like a better description. And as her sister liked to say, "You can always tell a Swede, but you can't tell them much!"

Joyce resided with her family in Rockford until she graduated from East High School in 1946. After taking some college aptitude tests, she decided to enroll in photography school.  In the fall of 1948, she entered the Ray-Vogue School of Photography in Chicago, IL.  In April of 1949 students went on a field trip to photograph the tulips in Holland, MI. It was on this trip that she met her future husband, Ed.  They were married in Chicago on August 19, 1949, and after graduation moved to Rockford to open a portrait and wedding photography studio.  In 1955 they moved to Pasadena, CA where they continued their work in photography, taking baby pictures at local hospitals.  With a keen interest in movies, Ed also enrolled in a cinematography class at the college. In 1960 they moved to Arizona and opened a 16mm film rental business, eventually opening the first video store in Arizona.

When not working alongside her husband, Joyce enjoyed encouraging her children in their music and equestrian pursuits, tending flowers in her yard, singing in the choir, and spending time with friends and fellow members of her beloved Lutheran Church. Often, you could find everyone watching a movie in the living room theater, complete with CinemaScope screen and popcorn machine.

Joyce is survived by her sister Marlene (and family); children Craig (Penny) and Wendy; grandchildren Johanna (Stuart), Jennifer (Jon), Janelle (Devon); and great grandchildren (Damian, Bailey, Jillian, Jessica, Jemma, Jon, Jacob, Evelyn, and Emma).  She was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Edward John Hoffman.

Services will take place Friday, May 2nd at 1:00 pm at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, 1601 N. San Francisco St., Flagstaff, Arizona.  A graveside service will follow in the Veteran's section of Citizen Cemetery, 1300 S. San Francisco St.

A light reception will follow at the church.

In lieu of flowers, tribute donations can be made to Lutheran Social Services.

https://www.lss-sw.org

https://www.lss-sw.org/tribute-gifts