Barbara G Hopkins

Barbara G. Hopkins died on Oct. 11, 2017 at Bishop's Glen Retirement Center in Holly Hill from complications of Parkinson's Disease. She was 88 years old. Barb and her husband, Don Hopkins, lived for the past 20 years in Ormond Beach, where they began visiting in the mid-50s when Barb's mother, Louise VanDerKarr, moved there. For several years they were snow birds, spending summers in their home in the Thousand Islands region of New York State and winters in Ormond until they retired to Ormond full time in 1996. As residents of Ormond Beach, Barb and Don were faithful and enthusiastic members Christ Presbyterian Church. They also volunteered weekly for more than a decade at Florida Hospital. Barb was born July 8,1929 in Syracuse, N.Y. and grew up in the nearby village of Minoa as Don's childhood friend. She married him in 1948. They moved to Watertown, N.Y. and soon after to the lakeside village of Sackets Harbor, N.Y. Barb became interested in community affairs in Sackets. She learned about her community firsthand when she took a job interviewing every household in Sackets Harbor for the U.S. Census in 1960. She volunteered for her church in many roles and wrote stories about the village for the daily newspaper in nearby Watertown. In the early 80s, she was elected as a trustee to the Sackets Harbor Village Council. In the mid 70s, Barb joined Don, who was a local television and radio newsman, in starting a new career. They opened Hopkins Homes Real Estate in Watertown. The company grew and prospered. Barb was twice elected chair of the Jefferson County, N.Y. of Board of Realtors. For relaxation, Barb and Don enjoyed hosting family and friends at their cottage on the St. Lawrence River. They also enjoyed playing tennis. In her 40s, Barb and Don took up skiing, traveling widely to ski. In 2008, at age 78, Barb took her last ski trip with Don and other family in celebration of Barb and Don's 60th wedding anniversary. Barb is survived by her husband of 69 3/4 years, Don Hopkins. He lives at Bishop's Glen which has been their home for the past five years. She is survived by two children, Cheryl Hopkins (Mary Louise Smith) and Dale Hopkins (Beth Hopkins), four grandchildren, four great grandchildren, three sisters and many nieces and nephews. Surviving family in Florida are brother-in-law Carlos Basile of Ormond Beach and Argentina, nephew John Basile (Lia), Tampa and Marie Woznichka from Ormond Beach. Her memorial service was held Thursday, Oct. 19 at Bishop's Glen. Memorial gifts may be sent to Christ Presbyterian Church, Ormond Beach or Bishop's Glen Retirement Center, Holly Hill.