Margaret O'Connor Hopkins' Obituary
Margaret O’Connor Hopkins died peacefully on January 8th, 2016 surrounded by her beloved children. If a life of 90 years can be boiled down into three overriding elements, then it can be said that Margaret (Peggy) Hopkins loved her family, loved Christian Brothers Academy and never learned the meaning of “I quit.” Margaret Mary O’Connor, a New Year’s Day baby, was born in Syracuse, N.Y. to, Dr. Sarsfield John and Helen Frances (Kerwin) O’Connor, on January 1st 1926. She graduated from Central High School at the age of 16, where she was the President of the Lyceum Sorority and voted “Class Girlfriend” in the senior yearbook, which was ironic as her overprotective father made it nearly impossible for willing suitors to actually ask her out. She received a BA degree from Syracuse University where she was a member of Theta Phi Alpha Sorority and was voted Snow Ball Queen in her junior year.
Faced with the necessity of raising five children on her own, Peggy became a working mother long before the term or the reality became commonplace. Ever resourceful, she started and ran the Peggy Hopkins Nursery School in Onondaga Hill for 10 years, where her students learned etiquette and French along with pre –reading skills and where guests such as the Easter Bunny would make surprise appearances. Later with her son Kerry, she co-founded and operated Hopkins Fine Jewelry which was located at the then Penn-Can Mall.
Her greatest joy and life’s focus were her five children and later, her ten grandchildren. Although busy with a working life, she always found time to attend every sporting event, parent and school meeting, play, graduation, concert or baptism and was a constant fixture in the crowd right up until her recent illnesses. She was an unending source of support, encouragement and inspiration, and until her last breath believed that “her kids” were unequaled in the entire history of mankind.
Family gatherings were the hallmark of her life and she reveled in the times when her whole family could be present. The laughter of her children and the telling of happy stories and good natured ribbing were like a tonic to her and was believed by many to be one of the reasons for her longevity and determination to live. Over the last two years her family grew considerably, to include the many doctors, nurses and staff at Crouse Hospital who took her into their hearts and provided her with loving and exemplary care. The family wishes to especially thank Dr. William Berkery, his partners, and the wonderful staff at Crouse Hospital especially those on 4 North for making her time there such a rare and beautiful experience.
She is survived by three sons, James C (Rosanne) Hopkins, Kerry S (Julie) Hopkins, both of Syracuse and Dr. Kevin S (Seema) Hopkins of Corpus Christi TX; two daughters, Kelley S (Lisa Downing) Hopkins of Easthampton, MA and Kerrin C Hopkins of Syracuse. Ten grandchildren: Heather Hopkins, Courtney Hopkins, Conor Hopkins, Shane Hopkins, Kyle Hopkins, Jillian Hopkins, Evrhett Davis, Kohlfield Davis, Sean Hopkins and Shaeleigh Hopkins as well as many loving nieces and nephews. She has one surviving sister, Helen F O’Connor of Syracuse. She was pre-deceased by her brother, Sarsfield J O’Connor Jr and sister, Jeanne Bowman.
A Funeral Mass in celebration of Margaret’s life will be held at 10:30am on Tuesday January 12, 2016, in St. Joseph’s Church in Camillus, followed by an entombment in St. Mary’s Cemetery Mausoleum in Dewitt. Family and friends may call on Monday January 11, 2016 from 4:00pm to 7:00pm at the THOMAS J. PIRRO FUNERAL HOME 3401 Vickery Rd. (corner of Buckley) Syracuse, NY 13212.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made in her honor to Christian Brothers Academy, 6245 Randall Rd. Syracuse, NY. 13214 www.cbasyracuse.org
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