BONITA SPRINGS, Florida and NORTH HAVEN, Maine — Judy Hopkins, 83, of Bonita Springs, Florida, passed away unexpectedly on March 26, 2026.

Judith Ann Athearn was born January 5, 1943, to Anita Oxton and Glenn Athearn, in Thomaston, Maine. Judy grew up in Rockland and Thomaston, until she graduated with honors from Rockland High School in 1961.

In 1961, Judy moved to North Haven to work as a secretary at Waterman’s Store.

Judy married Edward James Beverage, Sr., of North Haven, on April 13, 1963 in Rockland. They had three children: Edward James, Jr., Amy Lee, and Stuart Edward.

Judy loved to sew. She made clothes, food, and stuffed animals for the Lady’s Guild of North Haven. She was one of the best crab pickers on the island, and loved to make bread & butter pickles, zucchini casserole, pickled beets, and no-bake cookies. In 1974, Judy began working at North Haven Community School. She worked as the school’s secretary until 1980.

Judy and Ed divorced in 1980, and she moved with her children to St. George, Maine. After moving, Judy began secretarial work for Penquis of Maine.

On August 12, 1983, Judy married “Jimmy” Elmer James Hopkins, of Spruce Head, on North Haven. In 1983, she moved to Spruce Head, and began working for the Rockland Police and Fire Department. In 1985, her first grandchild was born. After her husband Jimmy’s passing in 2000, Judy found the women’s group TOPS. She loved her time with TOPS, and the experiences she had with the group changed her life. She retired from the Police Department in 2011, after winning the Secretary of the Year award numerous times.

Judy met her life partner, Luke LaRue, of Hope, in 2012. They lived in Hope, and over-wintered in Florida until moving permanently to Bonita Springs in 2015. They endured hurricanes and floods, but they spent many happy years there together until Judy’s passing.

Judy loved to read Stephen King and mystery novels, when she and Luke weren’t putting puzzles together. She loved being able to take coconuts from their tree, bake coconut bread with them, and send them out for the holidays. She loved dancing, singing, camping, animals, taking care of her cats, and seeing her family and friends.

Judy was pre-deceased by her mother, Anita Carroll (2013); her first husband, Edward Beverage, Sr. (2006); and her second husband, “Jimmy” Elmer Hopkins (2000).

She is survived by her three children, Edward Beverage, Jr., of North Haven, Amy Beverage of Brownville, and Stuart Beverage, of Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania; her life partner, Luke LaRue of Bonita Springs, Florida; five grandchildren, Christopher and Joshua Beverage of North Haven, Ann-Marie Beverage of Milo, Desiree Emmott of Waldoboro, and Morgan Mayo of North Haven; six great-grandchildren, Liam Beverage of North Haven, Bonnie-Rose Beverage, Landyn Fortier, and Arabella Brown all of Milo, as well as Tobe Sargeant and Willow Emmott of Waldoboro.

A gathering at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home in Rockland, for all who wish to attend, will be announced at a later date.

To share a memory or condolence with Judy’s family, please visit their Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.