To say that Jane Hoffman Popovich had love and enthusiasm for her family, her community, her alma maters, her business and life in general wouldn’t do justice to the memory of a woman who engaged every person and situation with an unparalleled zeal. She was passionate about so many people, institutions and causes that her passing on Aug. 4, after a long battle with ovarian cancer, will be felt far and wide across the many organizations with which she was involved and within the hearts of the many people she touched in her 71 years.
Jane made her mark in Los Angeles on the day she was born, Oct. 5, 1943. Her first day started in Alhambra, but she spent the majority of the next seven decades in San Marino. She would attend local schools including the Westridge School for Girls and later would sit on the school’s Board of Trustees as an adult. As the daughter of prominent Los Angeles electronics entrepreneur, H. Leslie Hoffman and mother Elaine Stevely Hoffman, Jane was brought up to value education and business and to cheer for the Los Angeles home teams – perhaps none more than the University of Southern California Trojans.
USC would hold a special place in Jane’s heart for her entire adult life. She was fond of saying that once she got to USC, she never left. As a student she studied business and became a sister in the Pi Beta Phi sorority. Many lifelong friendships were built on the campus. After graduating, Jane followed in the footsteps of her parents, who were both benefactors of USC, by devoting considerable time and resources to the university. In addition to numerous other roles, Jane served as a member of the USC Board of Trustees, president of the USC Associates Board of Directors, a member of the USC Marshall Board of Leaders, a member of Town and Gown of USC and the Women of Troy. Most Saturdays during the fall – even during her illness – you could find Jane in her regular seat at the Coliseum loudly cheering on the cardinal and gold.
Jane’s enthusiasm to address the needs of her local Pasadena community spurred her to take leadership roles in several Pasadena community organizations. Jane sat on the Board of Directors at both Huntington Memorial Hospital and the Junior League of Pasadena, but her true labor of love was the development of the Kidspace Children’s Museum. For nearly four decades, Jane spent much of her free time on the effort to create a world-class children’s destination in the San Gabriel Valley devoted to hands on learning. Jane took great pride in seeing the completion of the museum’s permanent home in Pasadena’s Arroyo Seco and in knowing that Kidspace has hosted, entertained and educated millions of children – many at no cost.
While many associate Jane with her work at Kidspace, perhaps more recognize her role as a businesswoman. Combining her flair for fashion and her own entrepreneurial spirit, Jane opened Armoire and Flutter boutiques in the Pasadena area. Both shops became popular stops for fashion forward women of Pasadena. Jane’s love of the outdoors and snow sports led to the opening of Helly Hansen sportwear stores in Orange County and San Francisco. She also continued the legacy of her parents as a Trustee of the Hoffman Foundation and Chairman of Hoffman Associates – a holding company started by her late father.
But Jane wasn’t all about business. She was a world traveler and had most recently visited France, England, Italy and the Galapagos Islands with her daughters and grandchildren. She was an avid golfer and in her prime enjoyed showing off by driving from the men’s tees. Lately, she had become nearly obsessed with weekly bridge games with her girlfriends.
Her favorite recreational activity by far was skiing. There were few places outside of San Marino that Jane enjoyed more than Sun Valley, Idaho. Her family’s vacation home in Sun Valley was a favorite retreat in both the summer and winter. Jane particularly enjoyed making the first tracks down a groomed run at Seattle Ridge – usually with her husband Kris trailing behind her.
Jane had the most zeal in life for her family. She had eight grandchildren, who she showered with love and attention – from sleepovers at Granny & Gramps’ house to nights out at the movies and from attending school performances to cheering them on at little league games – Jane found ways to spend time with and support each one.
Jane’s three daughters – Kimberly Shepherd (Robert), Tricia Fink (Michael) and Jennifer Allen (Chris) were her best friends, business partners and most treasured possessions. Jane was most proud to see each of them find love, start families of their own, be active in their community, successful in business and become accomplished women in their own right. Jane had been known to point out that the girls’ best features came from her!
The greatest love of her life, though, was her husband of 49 years, J. Kristoffer Popovich. Introduced to one another on a blind date when they were both just 16 years old, Kris and Jane spent the past 56 years becoming the best of friends, business associates, golf competitors, ski race rivals, debate opponents, world class adventurers, parents, grandparents and role models to their daughters, sons-in-law and grandchildren. Kris and Jane were above all else a team, partners in life, love and most everything else. Kris spent the last 2 1/2 years lovingly and tirelessly making Jane’s final days as joyful and comfortable as possible. Kris’ steady presence with Jane gave all who loved her comfort that she was always in the best of care.
Jane’s final moments were fittingly spent in the arms of her family on USC’s medical sciences campus as she passed peacefully onto her next adventure.
Jane’s family invites extended family and friends to join us in remembering Jane’s life by attending a public viewing at Cabot & Sons Funeral Home from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 19.
We also invite you celebrate Jane at a funeral mass to be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 20, at Holy Family Roman Catholic Church.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider making a donation in Jane’s name to one of her favorite organizations: USC Norris Cancer Center, USC Marshall School of Business or the Kidspace Children’s Museum.
