Irma Hatchett Anderson Hopkins

     On June 9, 2025, Irma Hopkins, age 102, died peacefully at the Lynn Home for Elderly Persons surrounded by loving family and staff.  Irma was born on January 15, 1923 in Huntland, TN, the second of six children to Frances Ann (Hill) and Herman Shipman Hatchett.  Irma grew up in Sarasota, FL during the Great Depression and graduated from high school there.  Following employment in the Palmer Celery Farms office, she married Sgt. Robert G. Anderson and, after the war, moved to Lynn, MA where their daughters Bonnie and Cathy were born and raised. 

Irma was a wonderful wife, mother, and friend.  She kept house but especially enjoyed creative pursuits of sewing, knitting, braiding rugs, and baking.  She contributed a delicious dish to many a potluck or barbecue.  Her piccalilli, baked beans, and pies sold out at church fairs.  She taught her daughters these skills and also supported their school endeavors, brought them to church (United Methodist), and to music, dance, and skating lessons.  Irma also worked for Anderson Catering Company answering the phone, scheduling events, and making and serving sandwiches.

     Irma made friends wherever she went.  Not only was she kind to everybody but she heard and remembered their stories, which made them feel valued.  She practiced unconditional love.  She also kept in touch with her sisters, brothers, and their families throughout her life.

     A few years after Bob divorced Irma, she got a good office job at Lynn City Hall and bought a small house.  Grandchildren became a focus and she traveled to see their games, shows, graduations, and weddings.  She also took them south by train to see the sights and, of course, meet their great aunts, uncles, and cousins.

     Over the years Irma housed, in her unfinished attic, two families and four individual relatives for months or years at a time, for which they are forever grateful.

     Eventually Irma married Gerald Hopkins. They upgraded the attic and had three good years together hiking and traveling until his dementia interfered.  After he died Irma became a home companion for a succession of elderly clients through Greater Lynn Senior Services, Inc.

     In her nineties Irma enjoyed life in the home of daughter Cathy and Frank Kashner.  To their chagrin, she gave up baking!  She gained new friends there and continued to enjoy books, jigsaw puzzles, word games, and her cat Sweetie.   After a falling accident, her final years were spent at the Lynn Home for Elderly Persons under the watchful eye of a very caring staff and Hospice.

     Irma was the last sibling of her generation.  She leaves behind daughters Bonnie and husband Paul Achterhof, Cathy and husband Frank Kashner.  Five grandchildren include Peter Lawrence, Jr., Jon Kashner and partner Laura Gramley, Jan Achterhof (Corliss) and partner Brian Giammarino, Erika (Achterhof) and husband CJ Sullivan, Grace (Achterhof) and husband John Tenn.  Her five great grandchildren are Anthony Corliss and wife Cori Spurlin, Evan Corliss and wife Samantha Harrington, Kendall Sullivan, Anna Tenn, and Luke Tenn.  Her five great, great grandchildren are Ardelle, Charlie, and Parker Corliss (Anthony’s), and Cayne and Miles Corliss (Evan’s). Also many nephews and nieces.

     Services for Irma will be held on Monday, June 23 at the Parker Funeral Home, 35 Franklin St., Lynn, MA beginning with visitation at 10:00 and a memorial service at 11:00 followed by burial at Pine Grove Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Irma’s memory to Lynn Home for Elderly Persons, 1 Atlantic Terrace, Lynn, MA 01902.