Joan Hopf

SAUGERTIES- Joan K Hopf, 89, of  Elm Street, passed away Wednesday, March 8, 2023, at Kingston Health Alliance.  Born in Saugerties on May 2, 1933, to the late Kathryn and Charles Granwehr, Joan graduated as Salutatorian from Saugerties High School, class of 1951, and went on to Oneonta State Teachers College graduating in 1955 with a BS in Education.

She began her career teaching elementary school in Scotia, NY, and then New Rochelle, NY before returning to Saugerties to teach at Cahill School for 26 years retiring in 1993. Upon returning to Saugerties during a Christmas break, she was reunited with a high school friend Alfred D Hopf and fell in love. They married in 1959 at St Mary of the Snow Church where she was a lifelong member. Her involvement with the church included years as a Rosarian, volunteering at the parish bazaar and St. Patrick’s Day dinners, and working as a CYO advisor alongside her husband Al. She also volunteered endless hours at the Council of Church’s thrift shop, The Well. Joan relished spending time with her family vacationing, camping, and traveling with her husband. She enjoyed family gatherings where she was often found at the piano playing show tunes or Christmas carols. She and her husband belonged to the K of C bowling league. She adored golfing and even shot a hole-in-one. We remember a loving and devoted mother and wife with gratitude for passing on her wisdom, grace, sense of humor, and goodness. Through her kind and selfless actions, she touched the lives of so many including her former students, fellow parishioners, friends, and the community. Joan was predeceased by her two sisters Gloria Smith and Ruth Christoff. Survivors include her loving husband of almost 64 years Alfred Hopf, her six children Christopher (Joanne) Hopf  of Albany,  Judy (William) Hart of Lake Katrine,  Stephen (Dori) Hopf  of Saugerties, Bethany (Gregory Bennett) Hopf of NYC, Peter (Amy) Hopf Saugerties, and Michael (Stacey) Hopf of Saugerties.. Joan had 13 grandchildren and 2 step-grandchildren: Stephen Hopf, Mathew Hopf, Abby Hopf, Vanessa Hopf, Michelle Hopf, Sumar Hart, Shane Hart, Kimberly Hart-Flahive, Marcus Bennett, Veronica Bennett, Grace Hopf, Kathryn Hopf, Joshua Hopf, Owen Hopf, Colin Hopf. She also had four great-grandchildren: Hunter, Tanner, Braden, and Kyla Hopf. A warm thank you to the WillCare and Health Alliance of Kingston staff for their professionalism and kindness and to her friend and caregiver Jannie Reeves for her love and support.
Her Funeral Procession will form 9:45AM Monday at the Seamon-Wilsey Funeral Home, Cor. of John & Lafayette Sts., Saugerties thence to St. Mary of the Snow RC Church where at 10:30 am a  Mass of Christian Burial will be offered.  Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery.  Friends will be received Sunday 2-4 and 7-9 PM. Family suggests donations in Joan's memory can be made to her favorite charity, St Jude’s Children’s Hospital.  Expressions of condolence may be shared with her family on Joan's Tribute Wall at SeamonWilseyFuneralHome.com

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