Helen Munro Hopkins

HOPKINS, Helen

It is with heartfelt sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Helen Hopkins (nee: Johnson) on June 19th, 2015 in her 96th year. Helen was born in Toronto and moved with her family to Peterborough around age 14. She lived most her life here, except for a ten year period in later life in which she resided in Napanee and Cobourg. Helen returned to Peterborough and resided at Fairhaven for her last years with that journey aided by love and care of many. Helen met her first husband Jack Ferren at age 16 at the old Brock St. skating rink. A long courtship led to marriage at age 25 and subsequent raising of five children, Cathie (Terry), Sandi (Steve), Judy (Victor), don (David) and Debbie (David). Helen worked as a seamstress in early adulthood, returning to it fulltime in the difficult years, before and after the passing of Jack in 1971. She married again in 1982 to Cecil Hopkins, who she met on a card playing date, set up by dear friend and sister in law Audrey. Helen again became a widow in 1993 with the loss of Cec. Never looking back, she made a move to Napanee for five years to be near Jud and then on to Cobourg to reside near good friends Norm and Jean Ellis. Helen continued to spend summers at the trailer she had enjoyed with Cec until her eyesight began to leave her. As her health began to fail, Helen continued to be a joyful, positive and at times feisty presence. She was the first to say, "I know I am not perfect", though her love often felt close to that for many. This part of her journey ended with her passing away suddenly and peacefully this past Friday. Helen continued to be held close, talked to, prayed with and celebrated by close friends and family for six hours as we began our long goodbye. Helen is the proud grandmother of Tarri-Lee, Michelle, Jason, Chris, Jeff, Ben and Kieran and great as well as great great grandmother to a number more. Loved and missed by many close family and friends. Special thanks to the loving care provided by Pam, Olga and Zoe right to the end and many thanks to the care and attention of those at Fairhaven and Legion Village. After care and cremation arrangements entrusted to Community Alternative Funeral Home. Family and friends are invited to share in the remembering and celebration of Helen's life at 291 Burnham St., Peterborough on Thursday June 25th, 2015 at 4:30 p.m. Online condolences to the family or donations to the Lakefield Animal Welfare Society or Brock Mission may be made at www.CommunityAlternative.ca or by calling 705-742-1875