Obituary of Nancy C. Hopkins

Nancy Copeland Hopkins passed away peacefully on February 12, at Newfield House in Plymouth, Massachusetts just 13 days shy of her 96^th birthday. Nancy was born in Bridgewater, Massachusetts and grew up with her older sister, Roberta, in the house built by her great grandparents.  After graduating from Bridgewater HS, she attended Simmons College (Class of 48) in Boston and majored in Journalism. She worked in advertising as a writer and then for AT&T as a manager. After her engagement to childhood sweetheart, Donald Cameron, ended in his early death from illness, she was set up on a blind date by her parents to meet the nephew of a friend - the result was her deeply happy 58-year marriage to John (Jack) D. Hopkins from Brockton, Massachusetts.

Nancy and Jack settled on the South Shore of Massachusetts, first in Bridgewater, then in Hanover, Marion and Wareham. Her horticultural father and music teacher mother led to her lifelong love of plants, especially peonies and rhododendrons, and classical music – her favorite composer being Rachmaninoff, whom she saw in concert at Symphony Hall. Nancy also enjoyed jitterbug dancing, baseball (the old Boston Braves, and then the Red Sox), and motorcycling. Above all, she loved her family and friends, who will miss her intelligence, humor and empathy.

She is survived by her children – all of whom reside in Massachusetts: daughter Melissa and husband Larry, son John and wife Catherine, and daughter Betsy and husband Steve. Additionally, her nine grandchildren and two great grandchildren all cherished her active interest in their lives.

The family is planning to celebrate Nancy’s life with a small memorial service in the spring. In lieu of flowers, any contribution to the ASPCA would be welcome and reflect Nancy’s devotion to the animals – cats, dogs, horses – that gave her joy during her life.