Patricia Marie Hopkins

Patricia Marie Hopkins (née Smith)

May 1, 1944 – September 2, 2025

Patricia "Pat" Marie Hopkins passed away peacefully on September 2, 2025, at the age of 81, surrounded by family as she sang along to doo-wop music—a final testament to her joyful spirit and love of life.

Born on May 1, 1944, Pat grew up in Yeadon, Pennsylvania, with her parents William and Marie Smith, her sisters Carol and Roseann, and her brother Billy.  She was a spirited tomboy who was always up for a challenge and determined never to let the boys out-do her. Baseball was the favorite sport in the Smith household and Pat became a devoted and lifelong Phillies fan.  Her childhood crush was Hall of Famer Richie Ashburn. A graduate of Archbishop Prendergast High School, Pat remained a proud "Prendie Girl" throughout her life.

Pat was the beloved wife of the late Norman Hopkins, who passed away earlier in 2025. Together, they shared 54 years of marriage—a true partnership filled with love, laughter, and adventure. Pat lived every day to the fullest, always planning travel with friends and looking forward to the next family gathering. Their annual Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations with family were highlights of the year, featuring hours of laughter around the table, good-natured teasing, and storytelling. Pat's famous German coleslaw became a family tradition, with every newcomer to the family lovingly warned to "eat it and like it."

Throughout her life, Pat embodied a strong work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit. She once aspired to start a business selling hoagies to grocery store chains. Convinced that the roll was the secret ingredient to the best hoagie, Pat and her dear friend Rosemary worked relentlessly to perfect her recipe for homemade rolls, having friends and family taste-test each version. Once satisfied, she hit the road to present her product to the major grocery stores. Impressed with the product and idea, management ultimately decided to take the idea but not Pat’s services. You cannot walk through a grocery store today without passing the pre-made sandwich section. The sandwich game’s loss was Wyeth Pharmaceuticals’ gain. Pat took her intelligence and her strong work ethic to Wyeth where she went on to build a long and successful career. Her commitment to hard work, researching the markets and smart financial planning enabled her to enjoy extensive travel and a comfortable secure life during retirement. 

While most impressive, her entrepreneurial spirit was second to her unwavering love for her family. Pat spent years caring for her mother in her old age and for her husband during his battle with cancer after successfully beating cancer herself. The combination of her love and determined spirit was never more apparent as when her sister, Carol was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Pat read articles and medical journals, researched trials and nutrition, spoke with doctors… all to find a cure for her sister.  She persisted in her efforts for all the years her sister suffered with the disease, never giving up hope. That was Pat, 100% family, all love, all-in, unwavering.

One cannot remember Pat without remembering her love of singing and dancing… central to her joy in life, and passions she maintained even in her final days. She was always the first one on the dance floor and danced until the party was over. In addition to music and dance, Pat was passionate about sports. The Phillies were not the only Philadelphia sports team of which Pat was a fan. Pat enthusiastically followed the Sixers, watching the games and engaging in spirited discussions about the team and the scores. A lifelong fitness enthusiast, Pat was known for her daily walks, often accompanied by her dogs, Sebastian, Jacques and Mickey whom she loved with all her heart. A testament to her commitment to fitness was her collection of unique exercise equipment, including an inversion table she owned decades before they became popular. A visit to her house meant a mandatory flip on the inversion table leading to many wardrobe malfunctions and uncontrollable laughter. When she wasn’t spending time with family, Pat, with her husband, Norm, travelled extensively visiting old friends and making new ones. While they visited some fantastic destinations, it was the travel companions (most often Rosemary and Bob), the laughs and the memories they made that were closest to her heart. Summers in Cape May held special meaning for Pat, where she treasured the ocean air, good conversation, and precious time with loved ones.

Pat spent her final years at the Exton Senior Living Center, where she was lovingly cared for by her dedicated and compassionate ESL family. There, she was known and beloved for her dancing, singing, and affectionate nature, bringing joy to all who knew her.

Pat is survived by her dear brother William "Billy" Smith and his wife, Cis. She was a proud and adoring aunt to Heather Kontonis (Paul), Brian Shields (Clare), Courtney Burke (Scott), Dominick Basciano (Danielle), Jeffery Basciano, and Samantha Basciano (Eddie), as well as many cherished great-nieces and nephews. While Brian was admittedly her favorite, the rest lovingly considered themselves a distant second. Pat also leaves behind many extended family members and dear friends who treasured her company. She was predeceased by her husband, Norm Hopkins, parents, William and Marie Smith, and beloved sisters, Carol Shields and Roseann Basciano.

Pat will be remembered for her independence, lively spirit and unwavering devotion to the people she loved. Her legacy of hard work, warmth and zest for life will live on in the many lives she touched.

Relatives and friends are invited to greet the family 9:30 AM Saturday, September 27th at SS. Philip and James Church 723 E. Lincoln Hwy. Exton, PA 19341. Funeral Mass to follow at 10:30AM. Interment St. Agnes Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Pat's name to the Parkinson's Foundation or the Alzheimer's Association.