Tricia "Trish" J. Cremeens

Trish Cremeens left us far too early on November 30, 2023. Anyone who knew Trish well, knew that she didn’t say quick goodbyes, but this goodbye came both too quick and too soon, just one week after the aggressive pancreatic cancer was detected.

Tricia Jean Hoffman was born to Daniel  E. and Mardi J. (Stelsel) Hoffman in Waupun, WI on December 8, 1969.   She was the older sister to Shane and Ryan (Nicole). A lifelong learner, Trish received a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin Whitewater and a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Northern Illinois University.  At the age of seventeen, Trish met the love of her life, Christopher M. Cremeens, at her beloved Snowball camp, and they began dating two years later.  Trish and Chris were married on October 14, 1995 and they joyfully welcomed their children Caenan Daniel in February  2001 and Finley Brandon in May 2004. 

Trish was a cherished aunt to Anabelle and Piper Hoffman; Abner, Sylvie, and Felix Freund; and Jude and Rosie Cremeens.  She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Kenneth J. and Mary L. (Finley) Hoffman; and David W. and Jean G. (Lawson) Stelsel; and her sister-in-law, Amber K. Cremeens.

More important than the timeline of major events in her life, however, is the kind of person she was and the gifts she shared with her family, friends, and community.

Trish shared respect, compassion, and dignity with others – always. This was appreciated by the patrons of McFarland Public Library, where she was a circulation assistant for nearly 9 years, as well as in her earlier work as a prevention specialist, floral designer, massage therapist, and childbirth educator. She had a reputation for being unflappable in interactions that would stress others. This did not mean that she was a pushover. In case someone forgot, she would comment that they obviously didn't know they were dealing with “Dan Hoffman’s daughter”! In the words of one library patron, Trish was “kind as f*** and strong as hell.” 

Trish curated her friends. Anyone fortunate enough to be her friend could know that they had been selected; she valued her time and the people she spent it with. She fostered lifelong friendships with her friends from Snowball, and showed she cared through unexpected thoughtful little gifts and by being willing to talk your ear off about the things that were most on her mind. She abhorred small-talk and only wanted to have deep, meaningful conversations. She had incredible intuition and insight, and asked powerful questions to help others uncover their own truth. 

Trish loved “Porch Time”, craft beer, her dog Diesel, nature, hiking, reading voraciously from her family's maxed-out library hold list, playing games with her family, decorating and reorganizing her house, walking with friends, and creating art. 

Most of all, Trish loved Chris, Caenan, and Finley. She centered her world on them and funneled her greatest gifts and skills to them. Being Caenan and Finley‘s mom was the greatest honor of her life. She was their glue, their staunchest defender, and their greatest promoter. She loved them fiercely and the best of Trish lives on through them.

While Trish liked her long goodbyes, she was quick to remind those she loved that “goodbye” is really just “see you later.”   We’ll see you later, Trish.  We’ll see you in the lives of your kids.  Each time we pass a library.  We’ll see you on the porch and around the campfire.  We’ll see your light–just when we need it the most. 

A celebration of Trish’s life will be held at the Cress funeral home, 6021 University Ave, Madison, WI 53705, on January 4, 2024. Visitation 10 AM, Service 11 AM.  A reception will be held afterwards at the Great Dane, Hilldale location, 357 Price Pl, Madison, WI.

Trish's service will be live streamed. Please click on the following link: https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony?c=959fca4a-587b-4f15-b1ca-6ea195383b4c 

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made in Trish’s name to Wisconsin Literacy at  https://wisconsinliteracy.org/support-us/donate.html

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Cress Center

6021 University Ave. Madison

(608) 238-8406