1921 – 2016
Sr. Carla Hopkins – 94, a member of the Daughters of the Holy Spirit died on January 7, 2016 at the Holy Spirit Health Care Center where she had been in residence since 2009. Born Eunice Lucille Hopkins in Plainfield, CT she was the daughter of Charles and Laurette (Guillet) Hopkins. She entered religious life in Putnam, CT in 1938 and made her religious profession there on July 1, 1943. She was then known as Sr. Charles Edward.
Following her religious profession she taught in elementary schools in Hartford and Moosup CT from 1943-51. In 1951 she was a student at Annhurst College leading to a B.A. in Sociology. In 1953 she was a student at Boston College leading to an M.A. in Education. In 1954 she went back to teaching on the elementary level in Chicopee, MA and in Moosup our model school where young sisters observed and taught under the supervision of master teachers like Sr. Carla as part of their college curriculum. She became a Professor at Diocesan Sisters’ College in 1956 and a Professor at Annhurst College in 1958 until 1962.
She was among the first group of 13 sisters who went to Chile in 1962 in response to an invitation from the Bishops of Chile. While there Sr. Carla opened a Normal School for the granting of teaching diplomas and served as Professor and Director of Escuela Normal Superior annexed to the Jesuit-run Universidad del Norte in Antofagasta. She served in that capacity until 1969 when she returned to the USA at which time she became Director of the New London Office of Catholic Charities for the Diocese of Norwich. Here she worked with marginalized Spanish-speaking black and poor Indians and Caucasians as well as the resettlement of Vietnamese after the fall of Saigon. From 1986-92 she supervised the construction of the residence and Clinic of the Haitian Health Foundation in Jeremie, Haiti and served as Administrator of the Clinic until September 1992. In 1993 back in the United States she volunteered in Norwich at the Thames River Family Program, a transitional living program for homeless women and their children. She also volunteered in a program for abused and neglected children at the Montville Juvenile Court and briefly in the Department of Probation at the Superior Court in New London. She retired to Preston, CT in 2002 and moved to the Provincial House in Putnam in 2008. Following some health issues she was admitted to the Holy Spirit Health Care Center in 2009.
She was predeceased by five brothers and a sister. Her extended family includes numerous nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. All of her sister Daughters of the Holy Spirit as well as many friends also mourn her passing.
Calling hours at the Provincial House will be on Sunday, January 10, 2016 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM with a Prayer Service at 7:15. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, January 11, 2016 at 11:00 AM at the Provincial House chapel followed by burial at St. Mary Cemetery in Putnam. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Daughters of the Holy Spirit Retirement Fund, 72 Church St., Putnam, CT 06260. Gilman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. For memorial guestbook visit www.GilmanAndValade.com
Beverly Sevigny
January 12, 2016 at 4:17 pmDear Sister Peaches:
This really is just a little note from me to you. I was saddened to read of your passing; but, at the same time pleased that you are now at rest and happy with The Father. I thank you for all the good memories throughout the many years. You were very generous with your time when Michael needed help in learning Spanish. I still recall the many visits and the laughter shared around the kitchen table. Dad was right. You were always beautiful…just like a Southern Peach. It was my pleasure to have known you; and, blessed to have been related to you.
sandra roy
January 16, 2016 at 11:57 amRest In Peace Sr. Carla Memory Eternal
Sandra Peters
October 31, 2016 at 1:48 pmYou will always be in our hearts, Aunty Peaches.