Sylvia Miller Hoffner

Sylvia Miller Hoffner, a beloved matriarch whose warmth and love radiated in the lives of her family and friends, peacefully passed away on January 18, 2025 at the age of 89. Born on August 2, 1935 in Rowan County, NC, Sylvia lived a remarkable life filled with love, joy, and cherished memories.

Sylvia was a wonderful mother and grandmother, embodying a spirit of compassion and kindness that could be felt by all who had the privilege of knowing her. She is survived by her children, Paul "Rocky" Hoffner, Jr. and wife Cindi, Saundra Magee and husband Rick, Stephanie Chen, and Christopher Hoffner; her grandchildren, Jennifer Perkins and husband Keith, Jack Magee and wife Liz, Melissa Johnson and husband David, Allison Woodward and husband Alex, Joshua Chen and wife Jessica, Anna Magee, Elliot Chen, Amelia Borger and husband Artie, and Isaac Hoffner; great-grandchildren, Elizabeth Perkins, Paul Perkins, Hannah Johnson, Chelsea Johnson, Miller Magee, Reeder Magee, Teddy Magee, Eliza Magee, James Woodward, and Layne Woodward; and her brother, Phillip Miller and wife Joan. Sylvia was preceded in death by her beloved husband and sweetheart from the age of 15, Paul Rothrock Hoffner, Sr. and her parents, Baxter Phillip Miller and Gladys Goodnight Miller.

Growing up in Salisbury, NC, Sylvia was an accomplished student at Boyden High School, where she served as editor of her yearbook and graduated at the top of her class. She was chosen to be in Quill and Scroll, a national honor society for high school journalists. After graduation, she attended Wake Forest College, one of only seven women to be accepted at the time.

In her free time, Sylvia was a woman of many interests and talents. Together with her husband, they purchased a beachfront home in Holden Beach, NC, which became a cherished gathering place for family—a "happy place" where laughter, love, and memories were made. Her love for food brought family members together for meals that were as nourishing as they were heartwarming, reflecting her belief that food was a love language transcending beyond mere sustenance. Her dedication to the community was evident in her volunteering for Alamance County Meals on Wheels, where she regularly uplifted seniors with both meals and little extra gifts that would brighten their day.

Sylvia’s talents extended to the arts; she was a gifted seamstress, lovingly crafting clothes for her daughters, and her beautiful singing voice graced the choir at St. Giles Presbyterian Church, enriching the hearts of many with her melodies. She found joy in playing bridge with friends and loved to work on puzzles.

A celebration of Sylvia’s life will be held at 2 PM on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at Lowe Funeral Home Chapel. The family will receive friends immediately following the service.

Sylvia Miller Hoffner leaves behind a legacy of love, devotion, and strength—a testimony to a life lived beautifully, surrounded by those she loved, her memory etched forever in the hearts of her family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Twin Lakes Community, 3701 Wade Coble Drive, Burlington, NC 27215 or Gibsonville United Methodist Church, PO Box 82, Gibsonville, NC 27249.