'She made people feel special': Pekin woman's death left family, friends with a little less sunshine

Asked to sum up Lisa Hofmann of Pekin in one word, her mother Vicky Hofmann described her as “sunshine.”

“Lisa was just one of those people who loved everyone she met,” Hofmann said. “She accepted people for who they were, no matter what their life circumstances were. Everybody who met her loved her because they felt so accepted by her. She just made people feel special.”

Lisa died April 23 when a forklift struck her in a workplace accident at CNH Factory in Goodfield, according to the Woodford County Coroner. She was 40. LACOSTA Facility Support Services, the janitorial company for which she worked, organized a GoFundMe drive to help support her family last week. To date, the effort has raised $5,225. The goal is $25,000.

Lisa Hofmann: Pekin woman struck by forklift, killed in Goodfield workplace accident

“She was more than just a coworker,” a LACOSTA spokesperson wrote. “She was a cherished member of our team.”

In addition to a strong work ethic, a mischievous sense of humor was a dominating aspect of Lisa’s personality. Her cousin, Michelle Orndorff of Carlock, recalled that Lisa’s parents frequently hosted bonfires and cookouts, and said the fireside chats there were among her favorite memories.

“She was really witty and liked to tease people,” Orndorff said. “Whatever they were talking about, she could usually throw in a witty comment on something.”

Family friend Tanya Yarbrough of Peoria said that Lisa’s humor often manifested when she teased her mother about hugging her.

“I have pictures of her where I told Vicky to trap her and hug her,” she added. “She’d say, ‘I’m not hugging that old lady. I don’t like her.’”

Although Lisa’s wit could be incisive and teasing, her compassion ensured it was never mean-spirited. Orndorff said that while she was recovering at home from foot surgery last year, Lisa was a regular and welcome visitor.

“She brought me some craft projects and some colored pencils and things to draw with … just some things that I could do while I was recovering from the surgery,” Orndorff said. “She sat and shadowed with me and that was really wonderful.  She was just a very caring person.”

Lisa's all-embracing affection for everyone she met showed in her ready smile, her concern for the welfare of the people around her, and her willingness to help anyone in need, according to family and friends. But she also possessed a strong independent streak. Hofmann and family friend Pat Alexander of Tremont said her motto was “I’m my own guardian!”

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“She liked to go for walks,” Alexander said. “She’d be walking all over, even at night. I was living in Pekin then and I had said ‘I really don’t like you walking all around at night by yourself.’ She looked at me, got this little grin on her face and said, ‘Well, I am my own guardian.’”

Lisa enjoyed meals at Subway, Mountain Dew, traveling with family and friends, “The Golden Girls,” and anything related to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

“Her first concert was when she was little,” said Hofmann “We went to a Ninja Turtle concert. I just drove her car and I noticed that she has a Ninja Turtle air freshener in it. We also went to the Golden Girls show at the Civic Center and we had a great time. That was the first time she and I had actually gone together somewhere as adults.”

Services are scheduled for 11 a.m. May 18 at Imago Dei Church, located at 2221 N. Gale Ave. in Peoria with a celebration of life to follow.

"All are invited," read Lisa's obituary. "Lisa was very informal and often wore a t-shirt picturing one of her favorites. Feel free to dress casually and if you have a t-shirt with one of her favorites to wear, I know she would love it."

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Pekin woman's death left family, friends with a little less sunshine