Gwen was predeceased by her parents Hubert and Thelma Leslie (Morgan), sister Ora (Tiss) Petrie (Leslie) and her beloved husband Irvin Torvik Hopkins. She is survived and will forever be missed by her children, Rick/Sheri Hopkins (Calgary Alberta), Gail/Steve Maurer (Harrison Hot Springs British Columbia), Terry Hopkins and his partner Chantelle Wist (Brooks Alberta), her seven very special grandchildren Cherie Hopkins, Jameson Maurer, Cody Hopkins, Travis Hopkins, Joshua Maurer, Tyler Hopkins and Jenna Hopkins and eight great grandchildren, Eira Dawn (September 3, 2009), Koen James (September 4, 2014), Adilyn Rae (November 2, 2014), Sophie Rose (July 17, 2016), Airlie Skye (May 30, 2017,) Taylor Louis (March 15, 2018), Archer Thomas (November 2, 2018), and Tanner Jason (October 15, 2021), She also leaves many nieces, nephews and cousins who were all very special to her.
Gwen was born on June 19, 1936 in Nut Mountain Saskatchewan, a small community of about 300 people, located in a farming community. Both her parents were of Irish decent.
Gwen lived a very happy childhood until sadly and suddenly, tragedy struck when her father passed away when Gwen was only twelve years of age. Gwen and her mother moved to Nut Mountain shortly after and her sister Tiss and brother-in-law Bud took over the farm.
After graduating from school, Gwen enrolled in a secretarial-accounting course in Saskatoon. In May of 1954 she started her first job in Regina Saskatchewan. On October 9, 1954 Gwen married her childhood sweetheart and love of her life, Irvin Torvik Hopkins.
Two years later in 1956, Gwen and Irvin moved to Estevan Saskatchewan where Irvin was a grain buyer. In 1958 their first child was born, Ricky Leslie Hopkins (July 16, 1958), followed by Gail Maxine Hopkins (March 17, 1961) then Terry Lee Hopkins (April 27, 1966).
In 1963 Irvin and Gwen purchased a motel and restaurant, in partnership with Thelma Leslie and Buzz and Emelia Morgan, in Canora Saskatchewan. For six years they worked as a team, raising their family and building a business, working long hours with little time to rest.
In 1970, Gwen and Irvin traded the business life for farm life and purchased and moved to a farm near Kipling Saskatchewan. For one year they lived on the farm before moving
to Weyburn Saskatchewan where Irvin took a job as District Manager for Pioneer Grain and they continued to farm on weekends and evenings. Weyburn became home and the entire Hopkins family made names for themselves in the local and provincial curling scene. A sport all excelled at as evidenced by the number of curling trophies in the Hopkins house.
All three children completed their schooling in Weyburn.
Camping was a favorite past time for Gwen and Irvin. Family always taggling along.
If Gwen and ‘Hoppy’ weren’t busy enough, the entrepreneurial team purchased property in Weyburn and started an RV business. Irvin continued to travel with Pioneer Grain and Gwen managed the day-to-day operations and bookkeeping at Riverside Camper Sales. Gwen seemed to always have little enthusiastic assistants helping her throughout the summer months in the way of grandchildren.
Irvin and Gwen found time for fun and enjoyed travel to Hawaii, Jamaica and the United States.
In 1989 tragedy struck for a second time in Gwen’s life when she lost her husband of thirty-six years when Irvin was diagnosed with terminal cancer and passed away on December 22, 1990. Irvin was only 58 years old and left Gwen a widow at a very young age of fifty-four. Although Gwen had many opportunities for other relationships, no one could hold a candle to the love of her life Irvin. She forged on with strength, dignity, determination, independence and the love/support of her family. Family was Gwen’s life. Her everything. She made a point of visiting her children and their families regularly and would seldom miss a special occasion to be with them.
Gwen continued to live in Weyburn Saskatchewan and was quite involved with friends and the community. She was a member of the Grace United Church, UCW group, Church choir, Variations choir, curling and numerous outings and travel with friends. She looked forward to visits from her family.
Gwen retired to Abbotsford British Columbia in 2016 to be closer to family. Hallmark on the Park became her new home. A warm and caring facility. Hallmark catered to all of Gwen’s needs, allowing her to live out her years in a peaceful and very dignified way.
The summer of 2024 was to be Gwen’s last. Last, but not least. Gwen enjoyed spring and summer of 2024 to the fullest with visits from friends and family from far and wide. It was a good summer and she always happily enjoyed it all.
Gwen was such an inspiration to so many people and always saw the “good” in all. She was a kind, gentle spirit that made everyone feel welcome in her home and life. Gwen never complained and was always thankful for the little things in life. She will be forever missed.
A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, October 12, 2024 in Weyburn Saskatchewan at Grace United Church. Community brochures will be posted around
the Weyburn community with further details. If you are interested in attending, please RSVP to: [email protected].
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
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