Melanie Hopkinson

A force of nature left this earth peacefully on June 10, while holding her daughter’s hand. Melanie Hopkinson lived her life in love with the world around her, always in awe of the beauty and sounds of nature. She was drawn to helping others, using her law degree to represent children as a guardian ad litem, and working with children with special needs.

Melanie’s greatest joy was raising her daughter, Caitlin. She gave Caitlin unconditional love, devotion, and a safe space to grow. She fostered Caitlin’s curiosity, encouraged her to follow her passions, taught her compassion and grace, and supported her on her adventures around the world.

Even as Melanie lost her memory to dementia, she maintained the person she had always been at her core. She stayed kind, graceful, gentle, and witty. She had an infectious smile that would light up a room and she never failed to make her loved ones and caregivers laugh.

Melanie is survived by her daughter, Caitlin, and her beloved grandanimals Viggo, Dub, and Ash. She is also survived by her brother Rodney and sisters-in-law Jan and Karen, her nephew Aaron, her nieces Jackie, Kirtley, Kelsey, and Ari (Natalie), and her grandniece Riley. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ernie and Mickey, and her brother Vern. Melanie was reunited with her cats and dogs at the rainbow bridge.

The best way to honor Melanie’s memory is to live as she did, performing acts of kindness for loved ones and strangers, and bringing joy into every room. If you would like to make a donation in her memory, you could consider:

The Monarch Butterfly Fund, an organization dedicated to preserving the habitat of a butterfly that captivated her;

Westside German Shepherd Rescue, the organization that brought her Viggo, her granddog. Melanie developed a special bond with Viggo and he brought her immense joy, especially as her health declined;

Polar Bears International, an organization dedicated to saving the habitat and species she found to be her spirit animal;

Any nature charity, which would honor her love for the outdoors.

Her friends and family will continue to celebrate her life every day. Caitlin plans to hold a more formal celebration of life at a later time.