Mary Hoffner Brodhead
— Mary Hoffner Brodhead, 87, of Niantic, went home to her Heavenly Father in the presence of family April 1, 2024. A lifelong Christian, she experienced a beautiful death without fear. She was born to Henry and Lillian Fell Hoffner Feb. 16, 1937, in West Chester, Pa.
She grew up on the family farm and attended public schools, graduating from Tredyffrin Easttown High School in 1955. In 1957, she married Robert Funk, then an Air Force pilot. The couple lived on military bases in Texas, and in Boise, Idaho, where their two sons were born. In 1963, the young family settled in Niantic.
A devoted wife and mother, Mary felt her life’s purpose was to be in service to others. Wanting to leave the world a better place, she became determined to earn her college degree once her sons were out of elementary school. Taking just one class a semester and studying when her sons were in school, it took her 10 years to earn her associate’s degree from Mohegan College. She went on to earn a bachelor’s of science in applied social relations from Eastern Connecticut State College in 1981, and a master’s degree in religious studies from Hartford Seminary in 1990.
Mary was director of adult education in East Lyme in the mid to late ’70s and, in honor of this work, was named the Jaycee’s Outstanding Young Woman of the Year in 1976. She then went on to be the director of Christian education at Noank Baptist Church, a position she held until 2002. She also served as coordinator of the home share program for Family Service Association in New London in the late 1980s. A social visionary, she lent her considerable skills to many nonprofit organizations, including serving on the founding boards of the Bethsaida Community and Mystic Area Shelter and Hospitality (now Always Home). In 1972, she played a major role in developing First Step, a community support program for the mentally ill. The organization merged with Integrated Behavioral Health to become Sound Community Services in 2005. In her later years, she was active on the board of Habitat for Humanity of Eastern Connecticut.
Mary’s first marriage ended in divorce, and in 1984, she married Truxtun Brodhead, adding four stepchildren to the family. Mary and Trux enjoyed traveling and outdoor activities, including hiking and kayaking. They were also active in their faith community and in the Descendants of the Declaration of Independence.
Predeceased by her husband in 2021, she leaves her children, Richard Funk (Thanh Hoa Dinh) and Robert Funk Jr. (Mary Howard); stepchildren Wendy Brodhead, Paul Brodhead, Emily Brodhead and Alice Brodhead; and grandchildren Shannon Funk, Brian Funk, Christopher Dinh and Daniel Desjardins.
A Celebration of Life will be held at noon Saturday, June 1, at Noank Baptist Church. Donations in Mary’s memory can be made to Camp Whiteman in Griswold.