NANCY HOFFMAN, 72, died peacefully in her home in Scottsdale, Arizona, on August 19, with her children at her bedside. She was born in Steubenville, Ohio, the only child of Elizabeth Schario Beach and Arthur Foster Beach. In the early 1950's Nancy played professional baseball for several Steubenville teams including Weirton Steel. Media accounts noted that she "flashed brilliant fielding" and a "classy" style on the field. Nancy married William Robert Hoffman, a young Ohio State Highway Patrolman stationed in Steubenville, and they had three children, Susan of San Francisco; Jeff of Scottsdale; and Kurt of Frostburg, Piqua, Ohio before locating to Scottsdale in 1974. Despite the many moves, Steubenville was always considered "home". In addition to her children, Nancy had five grandchildren and one great grandchild. After raising her family, she began a 25-year career as a waitress and bartender, which was extremely important to her. Waitressing, like the team sports she excelled at, gave her the camaraderie and repartee that made her feel "alive". During her illness, her son and his wife were her care-takers. In the last few days of her life she was visited by family, still beating everyone at cards while her old dog lay at her feet. Friends may call at the Everhart-Bove Funeral Home, 110 West Main St., Richmond, Saturday, August 26, 2006 from 6 until 8 PM. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Sunday, August 27 at the funeral home with the burial following at the Bloomingdale Cemetery. Condolences may be sent online at www.everhartfuneralhomes.com

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