Nancy Jean Hopkins

On June 15, 2022, Nancy Jean (Lipsi) Hopkins (76) of Columbia, Maryland entered into her eternal rest following years of health challenges. Nancy was born on November 9, 1945 in Philadelphia to the late Anthony and Jean (Prichard) Lipsi. Her early childhood years were spent in New Jersey until the family relocated to southeastern Pennsylvania where Nancy lived much of her life. Nancy's lifelong focus was clearly evident, but not limited to her employment path where she lived out her role as a deeply committed advocate and support, coming alongside the vulnerable and struggling so they might find the ability to succeed. She started out her early career as a teacher at Devereux Foundation and later helped to establish the Women's Resource Center of Wayne PA – an organization still going strong some 45 years later. She was the Executive Director of Laurel House, a shelter for abused women and children, and later worked for Bucks County NOVA (Network of Victim Assistance) and A Woman's Place in Bucks County, PA. Finally, she served for six years as the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania ACLU, never losing her passion to serve and fight for justice and equality. While living in Pennsylvania, Nancy was a long-time member of Central Baptist Church of Wayne, and in recent years since moving to Columbia, MD she was a member of Columbia United Christian Church. These church bodies meant a great deal to Nancy where lasting friendships within the community of faith were formed while serving one another and caring for the surrounding communities. Nancy was the devoted mother of two daughters, Heather Heathwood (Matthew Heathwood) of Phoenixville, PA, and Christen Grassel (Ronald Grassel) of Woodstock, MD, grandmother of her beloved granddaughter, Maddie Grassel, dearly loved aunt to many nieces and nephews both related and those who started out as friends and became part of her extended family circle. As the oldest of a family of six children, Nancy was a sister and friend whose impact is profound. Nancy's circle of loved ones, relatives and friends is large and her warm and generous heart has deeply touched many. Nancy was courageous and strong, colorful, creative, artistic, musical, hugely generous, definitely dramatic and very funny. Her story telling is legendary within her family circle and beyond, and when answering a question, she painted a verbal picture or wove a visual image that sometimes included the answer to the question. Along with her daughters and their families, Nancy is survived by two brothers and two sisters: Daniel and Donna Lipsi, Marion and Richard Crozier, Peter and Deborah Lipsi, all of Lansdale, PA and Janet Lipsi and Jon Volkmer of Telford, PA along with many nieces and nephews. Nancy is preceded in death by her parents, Anthony Lipsi and Jean Lipsi Wright, and by her brother, John Mark Lipsi. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Columbia United Christian Church, Oakland Mills Interfaith Center, 5885 Robert Oliver Place, Columbia, MD 21045 on August 27, 2022 at 3 o’clock. A second service will be held at Grace Bible Church, 423 N. Main Street, Souderton, PA 18964 on September 17, 2020 at 2 o'clock pm.