Teresa Ann Hoffman

Teresa Ann (Bennett) Hoffman, a.k.a. "Sweet T" passed away peacefully on July 1, 2026, at Akron General Hospital in Akron, Ohio, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on July 19, 1959, in Akron, Ohio.

Teresa was a 1977 graduate of Cuyahoga Falls High School. She was a proud veteran of the U.S. Air Force, where she served both domestically and abroad from 1977 to 1983 as an Aerospace Control and Warning Systems Specialist. During the Cold War, she made history as the first woman to represent the U.S. Air Force while serving in Australia, where she monitored Russian and Chinese missile silos. Throughout her life, she embraced new opportunities with determination and creativity. She started and owned several businesses, including the retail shop Victorian Elegance, the Christian bookstore The Living Word, and DJ Sweet T Entertainment, where so many came to know and love her in the local music / karaoke circuit. Most recently, she was employed as a Loan Processor for Huntington Bank and worked hard to consistently achieve top status on the leaderboard for loan sales.

Teresa will be remembered for her faith in God, her kind heart, incredible strength, powerful singing voice, and her willingness to help anyone in need. She enjoyed the beach, shopping, and, of course, singing. Her greatest joy came from being a Mother, a Mimi, and the best Aunt T ever. She dearly loved her partner, Dave, her family, and her friends.

She is survived by her partner, David Dinsmore; children Jennifer (Heath) Hooper and Josh Hoffman; father of her children John Hoffman; grandchildren Gwen and A.J. Hooper; siblings Linda Smith, Kathy Swingle (Gary), Brian (Kim) Bennett, and David (Tina) Bennett; nieces and nephews Chris Smith, Colleen Smith, Matthew Smith, Allison (Jeff) Dick, Sylvia Prokop (Mike), Amanda Swingle, Chelsie (Malik) Coleman, and Corey Bennett; as well as many cherished cousins, great nieces/nephews, and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Nelson and Bobbie Bennett; niece, Cortnie Bennett; nephew, Mark Swingle Jr.; uncle, Mike Bennett; and several beloved aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Teresa's life during calling hours on Thursday, July 9, 2026, from 5–7 p.m., with a funeral service immediately following at Clifford-Shoemaker Funeral Home, 1930 Front St., Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221.

Military burial honors will take place on Friday, July 10, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. at Oakwood Cemetery, 2420 Oakwood Dr., Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221. A celebration of life gathering will follow that evening at 6 p.m. at the VFW, 1581 Main St., Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221, where all who knew and loved Teresa are welcome to gather, share memories, and honor a life that touched so many.

Teresa's kindness, resilience, laughter, and love will live on in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing her. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered.