READING-Barbara Elizabeth Shinn Hopper, longtime resident of Boxford, MA, and lately of Reading, MA, passed away peacefully in hospice care on March 26, 2020. A proud and positive woman, Barbara was determined to the end to say she was doing fine, and would be going back home soon.

Barbara was born in 1934 and grew up in Haworth, NJ, and graduated from Tenafly high school. In Haworth she met her lifelong friend Anne "Cookie" Mitchell. Even as Barbara's life would take her to different states she and Cookie would always stay in close touch, including taking many joint family vacations over the years.

Barbara and Ed met by happenstance at a wedding in 1957. Barbara was a bridesmaid, and Ed was determined to find out "who is that statuesque blonde?" She liked to tell the story of how Ed was a "city boy" and had to call numerous times before she agreed to go out with him. After overcoming the seemingly insurmountable obstacle of combining a Catholic and an Episcopalian, the couple married in October of 1959. Their marriage lasted 60 years, and there was nothing more important to Barbara than family. Barbara loved to cook, and enjoyed traditions of family dinners and holiday gatherings. She was the kindest clean-freak you would ever know. The house was immaculate and, yet, Barbara loved impromptu gatherings with friends or parties.

The early years of Barbara and Ed's marriage included several moves from New Jersey, to Illinois, and Connecticut, until finally settling in Boxford, MA in 1974. Once in Boxford, Barbara established a close-knit set of friendships and they settled into what would be their home of 40 years. Barbara was a connector. She served as president of the PTA, and was seemingly a volunteer for everything possible related to the schools, town or her church - Trinity Episcopal Church in Topsfield, MA. A typical example was when she volunteered to help with the census and was quickly in charge of a large team of over 50 people. In addition to knowing every friend, student, teacher, or town member she knew every back road and shortcut in Northern Massachusetts. It seemed that wherever the family traveled, Barbara would run into someone she knew.

Barbara enjoyed music and the arts. She and Ed routinely went to shows in Boston and were supporters of the North Shore Music Theater. Barbara enjoyed the world around her, and appreciated the many birds that would daily visit her feeders. She could name them all by sight, and by call. Barbara adored pets, especially Golden Retrievers and cats. Early in her marriage, her dog Tammie moved with her from Illinois, to CT, and then to MA.

Barbara and Ed lovingly raised three children, and were always happiest when the entire family was together. Her heart was often focused on supporting the dreams of her children. She loved to give gifts and support causes. A common expression of Barbara's was, "I saw this and thought you would like it." She was also a loving, and caring mother-in-law that eagerly welcomed Catherine (married to Mark), and Paul (married to Liz) to the family.

After residing in Boxford for 40 years, when it was time to downsize Barbara and Ed moved to Reading, MA to be close to their daughter Liz. Barbara was a strong woman and managed complex health issues with grace and a positive attitude. Even as dementia progressed in recent years, the essence of Barbara remained strong. While seemingly dozing in her recliner as family chatted around her, she could still be counted on to interject an insightful zinger into the conversation, playing her consistent role of Oracle of Truth.

Barbara is survived by her loving husband of 60 years, Ed Hopper, three children Mark Hopper, Doug Hopper, and Elizabeth Whitelam; and three grandchildren Lauren Hopper, Bryce Hopper, and Lucy Whitelam, and her sister-in-law Millie Shinn, her niece Betsy Shinn Fertman, and her nephews Jeff Shinn and Peter Shinn. She was predeceased by her brother Jack Shinn, and her niece Nancy Shinn Corbett.

ARRANGEMENTS:Her funeral services will be held privately. Assisting the family with the arrangements is the Peterson-O'Donnell Funeral Home, 167 Maple St. (Rte. 62) Danvers. Expressions of sympathy may be made in Barbara's memory to American Heart Association, 300 5th Ave., Suite 6, Waltham, MA 02451.