Help Lay Lena Hoffman to Rest and Support Her Children

️Honoring Lena Hoffman – A Memorial & Support Fund for Her Family

Lena Hoffman, a vibrant and loving 34-year-old mother of two young daughters (ages 6 and 21 months), passed away in the early morning hours of June 15, 2025. My sister-in-law passed away after a courageous four-month battle following a sudden and devastating medical crisis.

Surrounded by family, Lena made her transition peacefully at the University of Maryland Medical Center—her body finally releasing after a long and heroic fight. Lena endured strokes, severe infections, surgery, and weeks on life support—never letting go of her will to stay for the people who mattered most: her longtime partner, Phillip, and their two little girls.

During my visits to the hospital, I often caught Lena staring straight ahead at the photo collage hanging across from her bed—a collection of family pictures. I truly believe she was drawing strength and determination from those images. Even when she could no longer speak, you could feel her fighting to stay for her girls.

Now, we are reaching out with urgency and love to ask for your help as we work to:

️ 1. Provide Lena with a Simple Memorial and Cremation

Lena’s family is planning a modest service and cremation to honor her with dignity and love. We are now just $878 short of covering the remaining funeral balance. The funeral home has informed the family that they cannot pick up Lena’s body from the hospital until the remaining balance is paid in full.

If you’d prefer to give directly toward these expenses, you may contact:

Stauffer Funeral Home (Boonsboro, MD)

Three-Zero-One – Four-Three-Two – Eight-Three-Eight-Eight

www.staufferfuneralhome.com

(Please note your donation is for Lena Hoffman’s arrangements)

You may also contribute here through this fundraiser. The memorial cost balance is the current top priority.

2. Support Lena’s Partner and Daughters Through This Transition

Lena’s passing leaves behind not only heartbreak, but significant financial hardship for her partner, Phillip (Jay), and their two daughters (ages 6 and 21 months). Phillip is currently unemployed and navigating single parenthood without a financial safety net.

While food assistance (SNAP) is expected soon and family members are stepping in to help with childcare, there are still urgent and ongoing needs. Phillip has just $800 remaining, which must stretch across:

Car payment and insurance – essential for transportation and daily tasks

Propane refills – needed for heat and cooking in their travel trailer

Basic items for the girls – diapers, hygiene products, clothing, and small comforts

Unplanned expenses – as they settle into life without Lena’s presence or income

This GoFundMe is now more vital than ever to help keep the family stable, preserve housing, and ensure the girls’ most essential needs are met during this deeply fragile time.

How Previous Donations Helped

Thanks to the kindness of previous donors, we were able to raise $8,120—every dollar of which was used to help Lena’s family stay afloat during her hospitalization. Your donations covered:

Rent and living expenses during her time in the ICU

Transportation and family support costs—including car payments, insurance, gas, and hospital parking—to help Lena’s loved ones remain close and present during her care

The purchase and setup of a used travel trailer that became their emergency housing when they lost their apartment

We are so grateful to every person who has stood with this family.

If you can give, share, or simply keep Lena’s loved ones in your thoughts and prayers, we thank you with all our hearts.

With love and gratitude,

Mary Holmes & Family

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(Original fundraiser story follows below for background)

A Life of Love and a Fight That Inspired Us All

Earlier this year, Lena Hoffman—a devoted 34-year-old mother of two—was rushed to the ICU after a sudden and devastating illness. What began as the flu spiraled into severe pneumonia, septic shock, and multiple organ failure. She was placed on life support and fought for months, through strokes, infection, and surgeries, always holding on for the people she loved most: her partner, Phillip, and their two daughters.

Lena had always been a fighter. Before this, she worked full-time as a server while Phillip worked as a cook, and together they were building a stable life for their family after a period of housing instability.

As Lena’s condition worsened, Phillip left work to care for their girls and be by her side. The financial hardship quickly became overwhelming, and this fundraiser was launched to help them stay afloat.

Thanks to your generosity, your donations helped cover rent, transportation, and eventually the purchase of a used travel trailer that gave the family safe housing when they had nowhere else to go. Every gift made it possible for Lena’s family to focus on her care—and now, every gift helps them begin the long, painful process of healing.