Nancy Louise Hoffmann Leary

Friday, Jul. 17, 2020

August 22, 1930 ~ May 15, 2020

On May 15, 2020, the matriarch of the Leary Clan, Nancy Louise Hoffmann Leary, slipped her mortal bonds and ascended to heaven (stopping along the way to dance upon the rings of Saturn). Greeted by all the choirs of angels, she was also welcomed by her mother, father and brother, and was wrapped into the arms of her late husband Judge Peter Flanagan Leary, daughter Theresa Louise and son Timothy Flanagan.

Born on August 22, 1930 in Perrysburg, Ohio, she was the third of five children born to Harold Casper Hoffmann and Alma Lucille Craine Hoffmann. Survived by siblings Peggy Anderson of Toledo, Ohio; Patricia Kazmaier of Key Largo, Florida; Stuart Hoffmann (Cheryl) of Murphy, North Carolina. Preceded in death by her parents and brother James D. Hoffmann.

She graduated from Perrysburg High School and attended a year of college at Bowling Green State.  She came west as a flight attendant for United Airlines, training in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and was assigned to Salt Lake City, where she met her husband, Judge Peter F. Leary. Together they raised a family of 12 children in the historic family home where her husband was also raised. Not content with 12 biological children, in 1987 she adopted a refugee from Vietnam into her family – Triet Vo-Leary.

While she was both flight attendant and entrepreneur, she also worked many years for the Catholic Diocese of Utah in their administrative offices. She converted to Catholicism prior to her marriage and sang in the Cathedral of the Madeleine Choir for many years.

Surviving Nancy are her children Michael Sean Leary (Diane Seppi); Catherine Ann Eckart (Ian Griggs); Daniel James Leary (Susan Franc); Patricia Ellen Bola (William Bola); Peter Hoffmann Leary; Mary Anne Airmet (Todd Airmet); Monica Jean Paluso (Todd Paluso); Triet Vo-Leary (Jenny Mac); Patrick William Leary (Amy Price); Kevin John Leary (Carrie Watts); Jennifer Marie Strader (Matthew Strader); 31 grandchildren and their spouses; and 12 great-grandchildren who loved calling her “Grammy.” Additionally, she was preceded by her husband Judge Peter F. Leary, daughter Theresa Louise, son Timothy Flanagan and grandson Liam M. Bola.

The passing of this great woman was celebrated with a Mass of the Christian Resurrection on July 14, 2020 at the Cathedral of the Madeleine. Interment followed at Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, you consider a gift to the Cathedral of the Madeleine or to the Timothy Flanagan Leary Memorial Scholarship in the College of Natural Resources at Utah State University at https://www.usu.edu/advancement/leary/

“May the angels lead you into paradise, and may perpetual light shine upon thee.”