Joan Ellen Hopkins

Mrs. Joan Ellen Hopkins (Fontaine) passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 12, 2015 at the age of 78 with her loving family at her side.

Joan was born August 19, 1937 in Fort William, Ontario and was the eldest daughter of seven children born to Aimie and Olive Fontaine.

Joan attended St. Martin School in Westfort, leaving at a young age to care for her siblings and the home while her father was away in the air force and her mother returned to work.

At the age of 14, Joan met her “one love” Gerald “Jerry” Hopkins. Joan and Jerry were married on August 16, 1957 and were blessed with five children.

Joan pursued a career as a hairdresser in her home while caring for her children. Joan’s unwavering faith was evident in the way she lived her everyday life as a wife, daughter, mother, grandmother, friend and neighbor.

She was a very dedicated member/volunteer at Calvary Lutheran Church for many years. She was known for her kindness, compassion and caring nature toward everyone she encountered in life.

She loved spending time with her family, baking, sewing, crafting and gardening. Joan will be lovingly remembered by her children; son Shaun; daughters Brenda (Dan) Rojik, Tracey (Alan) Nicholson, Karen (Richard) Findlay, and Amy (Jamie) Lamme; grandchildren Shauna, Adam, Cameron, Jesse, Timmy, Justin, Renee, Kristie, Taren, Noah, Elizabeth and Gabriel; and great grandchildren Nicholas, Olivia, Marshall, Abigail and Carly. Joan is survived by brothers Larry (Les) Fontaine and Jim (Lois) Fontaine, both of Thunder Bay, ON; sisters Linda (Sonny) Pawluk of Thunder Bay, ON and Brenda (Gerry) Humby of Dartmouth, NS. Joan is predeceased by Jerry, her husband of 53 years, her parents Aimie and Olive Fontaine and her brothers William and Bruce.

For those wishing to Celebrate Joan’s Life, visitation will be held on Monday, September 21 from 6 – 8 p.m. at Jenkens Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held on Tuesday, September 22 at 11:00 a.m. at Calvary Lutheran Church, Edward and Donald Street, with Rev. John Schmidt officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society or Calvary Lutheran Church.