Gayle (Whyde) Hoffman

Gayle Hoffman died peacefully at her home in LaFayette, OR on April 16, 2014, following a 2-year battle with cancer. Gayle was born in California but raised in Eagle Butte, SD, and Drummond, MT. She graduated from Drummond High School in 1962 and attended Kinman Business University in Spokane WA. She met and married Thomas R. Hoffman and together had one daughter. They later divorced. Gayle loved to dance and enjoyed a mean game of Skip-Bow, if you were so inclined. Since childhood, she was an avid lover of animals (any kind--big or small). She was particularly fond of and cared for many homeless or abused cats and dogs. Comforting her in the final days were family members, dear friend Chris Nordby, and her beloved rescue cat, Journey Linden. Gayle also cherished attending Western Oregon University Women's Softball games with Chris and her family, field trips with special friends, her volunteer work with the "Meals-On-Wheels" program through the McMinnville, OR Senior Citizens Center, and her many fond memories of Drummond Grade and High Schools. Gayle was preceded in death by her parents, James and Barbara Whyde, and brother-in-law, Leonard P. "Chuck" Tinsley. She is survived by her daughter DiAnna (Gareth) Williams and grandsons, Gannon, Brodie, and Jestin of OR; brothers, Don (Donna) Whyde and family of WY and Ron (Karen) Whyde of East Helena, MT; sisters, Elizabeth J. "Betty Jo" Tinsley and family of AR and Lois (Michael) O'Connor and family of Helena, MT. Cremation has taken place. As per Gayle's request, no formal services will be held. She will be laid to rest alongside her parents at Valley Cemetery (New Chicago Cemetery)south of Drummond, MT later this summer. Longfellow-Finnegan-Riddle Funeral of Anaconda is entrusted with Gayle's arrangements. ......... What though the radiance which was once so bright, Be now forever taken from our sight, Though nothing can bring back the hour of splendor in the grass, of the glory in the flower; We will grieve not, rather find strength in what remains behind..... William Wordsworth