Judith A. Hopkins

Judith A. Hopkins, editor, activist, published writer and gardener, died on January 15 at the age of 47.

She was the mother of Nathaniel Hopkins of Newtown.

In 1999, she formed the Morning Glory Project, a foundation dedicated to helping the homeless and recovery community in Ft Myers, Fla. and Real Times, A Newspaper for the Streets. Real Times gives a voice and a face to those without either, and, as editor, Judy realized her lifelong dream. The inaugural issue will launch in the coming year to commemorate this brave crusader. Judy was also a guardian advocate for the Ruth Cooper Center, a mental health facility in Ft Myers.

Judy lived in Florida since 1992, residing in Brooksville and then Ft Myers. She was born in Bridgeport and attended Staples High School. Her three children were raised in Newtown, where she lived for over 15 years.

Judy also leaves to cherish her memory her children, Jennifer Knapp of Boston, Mass., and Matthew Knapp of Atlanta, Ga.; father, Fred Evers of Ft Myers, Fla.; brothers and sisters, Bob Evers of Ft Myers, Fla., Beth Studer of Falls Church, Va., Fred Evers of Merrimac, Mass. and Elyse Kingery of Geneva, Switzerland; former husbands, Jeffrey Knapp and Ted Hopkins, both of Newtown; and her extended family members and devoted friends. She was preceded in death by her mother, Doris Evers.

A memorial service was held on January 21 at the Holy Theotokos Monastery in Ft Myers; and private funeral the following day on Sanibel Island.

Donations may be made in her name to the Holy Theotokos Monastery, 111 Evergreen Road, Ft Myers, FL 33903-3830 to continue her good works with the homeless and others.

The Newtown Bee         February 4, 2000