Betty H Hopkins

Betty grew up in Rogers Park on Chicago’s North Side and graduated from Sullivan High School in 1942. Upon graduating, she started working as a bookkeeper in Rogers Park. Betty married the late Arthur Hopkins, a veteran of the US Army, in 1946 after they met in the soda shop where he worked. They had one daughter Kathryn.

The family moved to Arlington Heights in 1961, and Betty started her career as a loan officer at United Airlines Credit Union where she worked for 17 years. She also started a handmade purse business after retirement called Bags by Betty and volunteered in the gift shop at Northwest Community Hospital.

Betty’s career provided a benefit of traveling, and she visited many places with family and friends including a number of trips to her favorite place, Hawaii.

Arthur passed away in 1992, and about four years later, Harold Brogdon, a friend of Arthur’s reached out to Betty and they arranged a golf date. They became friends and ultimately part of each other’s families. Harold passed away in 2011 and the families have remained close.

Betty attended First United Methodist Church of Arlington Heights and enjoyed golf, sewing, bridge, canasta, aerobics and her favorite team, the Chicago Cubs. She was a long-time member of T.O.P.S. (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly), and the Red Hat Society, and participated in all of these activities into her 90s.

Betty was an accepting, nurturing and supportive person. Her key to 100 years? Keeping busy, Manhattans and no stress!

Betty is survived by her daughter Kathryn (Steven) Heilig, her inherited Grandchildren Brian and Diana Heilig, two Great Grandsons Grayson and Nathan Heilig as well as many relatives including cousin Charles MacWilliams of Atlanta, Georgia and his family.

In lieu of flowers, those desiring may make contributions to First United Methodist Church of Arlington Heights in memory of Betty.