Helen O. "Wiffie" Hoffert

The family of Helen Oliphant Hoffert mourns her passing on February 22, 2016. Born December 21, 1925, in Trenton, NJ, and known to her family as Wiffie, she was a longtime resident of Mountainside deeply involved in community service and affairs. She was a learning disabilities specialist for over two decades, teaching throughout New Jersey. In her sixties, she combined her expertise in that area with her love of horses to become an instructor in hippotherapy, which uses horseback riding to help children and adults with mental and physical disabilities. She was proud of her Scottish heritage and her alma mater, Wheaton College in Massachusetts; engaged by all things French; and passionate about reading and tennis; a plaque in her house declares, "If there is no tennis in Heaven, I'm not going." She is survived by her grateful children, David and Barbara, and son-in-law Edward Cone; granddaughter Michael Anne Hoffert-Cone and grandson Louis Cone and his fiancée, Kimberly Keller; sister Nellie May Duncan and her family, husband Stuart and daughters Creigh and Allison; and nephew Alex (Sandy) Oliphant and his wife, Judy. She was predeceased by her husband, Franklin David Hoffert, brothers Elkins and Sandy, and grandson Michael Cone. A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 5, at 1:00 p.m. at the Community Presbyterian Church, Meeting House Lane and Deer Path, in Mountainside. In lieu of flowers, Wiffie would have appreciated a donation to Mylestone Equine Rescue (mylestone.org). Arrangements by Gray Funeral Directors of Westfield, a Life Celebration Home. To view a tribute of Helen's life, please go to: www.grayfuneralhomes.com.