Julie Ann (Hoffman) Elliott was born on July 3, 1973, to James and Dorothy Hoffman in Hamilton, Montana.
She grew up primarily in North Platte, Nebraska, the youngest of four siblings and the undisputed champion of keeping everyone on their toes. As a child, she could often be found walking her pet duck around the neighborhood—long before it was trendy—or playing piano, which became one of her lifelong loves. A devoted Nebraska fan from birth, she had to wait until 2025 to finally attend a Nebraska game, proving that patience truly was one of her superpowers.
Julie graduated from St. Patrick’s High School in 1991 and then moved to Kansas City to attend Rockhurst University. After college, she embarked on one of many careers centered entirely around caring for others, including numerous roles supporting individuals with developmental disabilities. In that field she met her longtime friend Sara Peltz and many of the people she cared for who, in turn, cared deeply for her.
Later, Julie shifted into a career in pharmacy—a field she tackled with her trademark determination. She worked incredibly hard to pass the national certification, a reminder that she could reinvent herself and keep helping people.
In 2011, Julie met her husband Michael Elliott on the vast, mysterious Internet, only to discover she’d been living mere blocks from him for years. After vetting Michael thoroughly (by assessing that no one that waves like that could be a threat) they were inseparable. Julie became stepmother to Michael’s daughter, Sara, and the two were married on September 3, 2017. They loved each other dearly and spent many joyful days traveling in their RV, collecting memories, inside jokes, and stories that Michael will retell for the rest of his life—much to Julie’s patient amusement from above. Their shared quirky humor made them a perfect match, and their home was always open to guests, whether related or simply adopted by affection. Julie’s tolerance of Michael’s jokes earned her the affectionate title of “the most patient woman on earth,” awarded unanimously by anyone who had ever met him. Michael’s parents loved Julie like the daughter they never had, often telling her she was the favorite (though only) daughter-in-law.
Julie was not only a stepmother but a beloved aunt, honorary mother, and “collector of humans.” Her circle included her beloved “bugs”—nieces, nephews, and others she gathered along the way, such as Ava and Parker Peltz and exchange student Naeyong (Kate) Park.
Known for her calm, centered presence in the middle of total chaos, Julie possessed more talents than most people have socks. She played piano and guitar, could beat anyone at cribbage or Uno (and did, regularly), and was a gifted chef who could create dinner out of what looked like a barren pantry—“a jar of mayo, two crackers, and some Mrs. Dash.” Her famous chili was enjoyed by thousands over the years at the local chili festival. She could sew or craft almost anything out of nothing, enjoyed everything from tap dancing, obsessing over dinosaurs and crime dramas, and somehow still found time to teach Michael all she could about cooking—though he never quite mastered her wizard-like ability to improvise. Thousand of babies have had their outfits saved by one of the bibs she sewed over the years. Julie was also a lifelong Catholic, a woman of deep faith and a member of Holy Trinity parish in Lenexa, Kansas. She is now in the loving arms of her Savior Jesus.
Julie passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, on November 24, 2025 after a brave, two-year battle with cancer. She refused to let cancer tell her how to live, continuing to laugh, travel, cook, and love until the very end. She lived life entirely on her own terms, and she left it the same way.
Julie is preceded in death by her parents, James and Dorothy Hoffman, and her sister Donna (Hoffman) Rodriguez, who went to be with the Lord just two days before her. She is survived by her husband, Michael Elliott; brother Mark Hoffman (sister-in-law Sharon); sister Lynda Hoffman (Jim Cooper); brother-in-law Joe Rodriguez; stepdaughter Sara (Elliott) Barnes (Justin Barnes); step-granddaughter Corrinne Barnes; nieces Mari (Hoffman) Budke (Mitchell Budke), Emily (Rodriguez) McMullin (Ben McMullin), Madeline (Hoffman) Degenhardt (Nick Degenhardt); nephews Christopher Rodriguez and Brady Hoffman; in-laws Keith and Pam Elliott; brother-in-law Brian Elliott; and numerous cousins, aunts, and uncles.
Julie leaves behind a legacy of kindness, laughter, fierce loyalty, unmatched patience, and a world made unquestionably better for her having been part of it.
Funeral mass will be held at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 13615 W 92nd Street, Lenexa, Kansas 66215 on Saturday, December 13, 2025 at 10:30am. Rosary will be held at 10:00 am at Holy Trinity prior to the funeral mass. Visitation will be Friday, December 12 from 4pm to 6pm at Porter Funeral Home, 8545 Monrovia, Lenexa, KS 66215 with additional visitation at 9:30am December 13 at Holy Trinity. Graveside follow immediately after the funeral mass at Resurrection Cemetery in Lenexa, KS with a reception and memorial at the church to follow.
Flowers may be sent to Porter Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Julie’s honor to causes near and dear to her:
MD Anderson Cancer Center, P.O. Box 4486, Houston, TX 77210-4486 or MDAnderson.org/Gifts.
Children’s Mercy Hospital (Kansas City) - https://give.childrensmercykids.org/give/280980/#!/donation/checkout?c_src=na&c_src2=website
University of Kansas Olathe Hospice House- 15310 S. Marion St. Olathe, KS 66061