Obituary of Nancy Yanes Hoffman

Passed away peacefully at home on May 29, 2016 at the age of 87. Predeceased by her parents William Phillip Yanes and Edith Sara Bernstein; and by her infant daughter Harriet. Nancy is survived by her husband of 68 years, Dr. Marvin J. Hoffman; her children Dr. William Yanes Hoffman (Teresa Holt), Holly Brookstein (Steve Brookstein) and Jennifer Yanes Hoffman (Mark Hirshorn); her grandchildren Ari (Kelly Lippi) Hoffman, Yaakov Hoffman (Juliette), Emily Brookstein, Eric Hoffman, Harry Brookstein, Rachel Hirshorn and Sarah Hirshorn; her sister-in-law Lillian Brent; and brother-in-law Dr. Robert Brent. Ms. Hoffman was born and raised in Newton, Massachusetts, where she developed her life-long passion for reading and literature. She was an accomplished professor of English, medical writer, health care consultant and lecturer. As an undergraduate, she attended both Connecticut College for Women and the University of Rochester, where she graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a Bachelor of Arts. She completed her Masters in English at the University of Rochester in 1968. Ms. Hoffman was one of the first full-time female faculty members at St. John Fisher College, where she taught for 18 years and was a beloved professor of English. Following the success of her first book "Change of Heart: The Bypass Experience", she launched her NYH Healthcare Communications Group, and began a full-time career as a medical writer. Her series of articles on renowned, groundbreaking physicians appeared in JAMA ,and she worked as a book reviewer for the Los Angeles Times for 5 years. Ms. Hoffman lectured worldwide on how to improve the bypass experience for patients, and the doctor-patient relationship. She appeared on both Oprah Winfrey's Chicago-based program and Larry King Live. Ms. Hoffman collaborated with Rochester radiologist Dr. Wende Logan-Young, writing a three-volume textbook on breast cancer and mammography. She consulted with several pharmaceutical companies and Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Most recently, she worked as a senior medical writer for U.S. News and World Report. Services for Nancy Hoffman will be held on THURSDAY, June 2 at 10:00 AM at Temple B'rith Kodesh. Interment, Mt. Hope Cemetery. The family will be receiving guests at the Hoffman residence at 16 San Rafael Drive on Thursday evening June 2, from 7-9pm, Friday afternoon, June 3, from 2-4pm and Sunday June 5 from 2-4pm. Donations in Nancy's memory may be directed to the Marvin J. and Nancy Yanes Hoffman Scholarship Fund at the University of Rochester Medical Center; 300 East River Rd., Rochester, NY 14627.