Helen Hopkins

Helen Louise Hopkins

July 10, 1926 ~ June 12, 2014

Helen Louise Hopkins passed away peacefully on June 12, 2014 after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s.  She was born on July 10, 1926 in Evanston, WY, the daughter of Howard Phillip and Anna Jones Hopkins.  The family moved to Ogden when she was one.  She attended St. Joseph Elementary, Lewis Jr. High, and graduated from Ogden High School in 1944.  She graduated from Holy Cross Hospital of Nursing in 1948 as a registered nurse, and began her professional career at St. Benedicts Hospital in the newborn nursery which lasted for 38 years.

She never married nor had children, but upon her retirement it was noted that she had cared for approximately 36,000 babies and loved them all.

Helen enjoyed crocheting, knitting, making miniature doll furniture, camping, and doing crossword puzzles until she lost her sight from macular degeneration.  She loved animals and would have adopted all stray or homeless pets.  When camping she would rather watch the deer, moose, chipmunks, and squirrels rather than wet a hook in the water.

She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  She enjoyed watching the Mormon Tabernacle Choir on Music and the Spoken Word.  She was also a member of the Ladies Oriental Shrine Iris Court 47 for over 50 years and a former member of Utah Nurses Association and American Nurses Association.

Helen is survived by her sister, Patricia Brown (Gordon deceased); step-nephew, Douglas (Lisa) Brown, St. George; step-grandniece, Sarah (Jake) Skinner and children, Kyler, Lilah; Kerra Ryan and son Dylan; special cousins, Eudena (Gary) Vernieuw, Big Piney, WY; Terry (Keri) Vernieuw, Kearns; and Kathleen Norton, Kaysville who has been so helpful during Helen’s illness; and special family friends, Patty and Mark Jones, Kathryn, Sarah and Jack, Draper, UT.

At Helen’s request, Private Graveside Services will be held on June 16, 2014 at 10 a.m. at Lindquist’s Washington Heights Memorial Park, 4500 Washington Blvd.  Friends may visit with family on Sunday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd.

Special thanks to her dear friends, Connie VanHook and Pat Baggs for all their support and love, gratitude to ManorCare staff for respecting Helen’s dignity through her final days, and Bright on Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Shriners Hospital, 1275 Fairfax Rd, SLC UT 84103; Primary Children’s Hospital, 100 Mario Capecchi Dr., SLC UT 84132; Weber County Humane Society, 373 North 750 West, Ogden UT 84404 or a charity of your choice.