Frances M. Hopkins

Frances Mary Hopkins, 82, of Stockton, N.J., died peacefully on Friday, July 3rd, 2015 in her home surrounded by her loving family. She was predeceased by her devoted husband, Gerald J. Hopkins, to whom she was married for 62 years. Frances met her husband, Gerald, while working for the Lipton Tea company in Hoboken, N.J. She devoted the rest of her life to her husband and family. She was a wonderful cook, wife, mother and grandmother. She loved gardening, Oprah, reading, and reading about Oprah. She loved children, all children, and she had a unique ability to instantly connect with them. Although life's circumstances denied her the opportunity to pursue higher education, she was fiercely bright, intellectually curious, and relentless in her encouragement to her family to pursue their goals, whatever their path in life might be. Frances was also a great listener and dispenser of advice. This was both a gift and a curse. Family, friends (and sometimes perfect strangers) could sense her empathy and would often unburden all of their problems at their earliest opportunity. She would always listen patiently and then gently suggest a course of action which, although not always welcome, was typically both insightful and correct. Frances was a compassionate, generous and nonjudgmental person who was adored by her family. She is already greatly missed. Born in Jersey City, New Jersey, she was one of seven children of Mary Rita Sullivan and Henry Carl Mueller. She is survived by her children, Eileen Baumann and her husband, Robert, and Gerald J. Hopkins Jr. and his wife, Jo Anne, all of Stockton, N.J., as well as her nephew, Robert L. Costello of Williamsburg, VA. She is also survived by her beloved grandchildren, Scott Liggett and his wife Valerie, Lori Liggett, Kristen Lubold, Kaycie Hopkins, Daniel Hopkins, and Kerry Bonci, and her husband, Tyler; her great-grandchildren, Haley, Paige and Jared Lubold, and her brothers, Charles Mueller of Cranford, N.J., and John Mueller of Woodstock, Georgia. She was predeceased by her brother Joseph, and by her sisters, Mary Mueller, Katherine Costello and Margaret Stratton. In lieu of flowers, Frances wished that contributions in her memory may be made to the Flemington Food Pantry. Services are private and are under the direction of the Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington, NJ. Please visit www.holcombefisher.com for further information or to leave an online condolence.