CAMDEN — Margaret Elizabeth Shaddick Hopkins died peacefully on Good Friday, March 25, 2016, at Knox Center in Rockland, after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease.

She was born Dec. 15, 1928, in Rochester, N.Y., to Frederick William and Martha Roseman Shaddick, and attended Rochester public schools.

Marge met her husband, George, while she was working and he was studying at the Rochester Institute of Technology and they married in 1949 when she was 20 and he was 21.

Marge and George lived most of their married life in La Jolla, Calif., but were teased for their numerous and frequent moves in later years. Their states of residence included New York, Iowa, Pennsylvania, California, Maine and Massachusetts (several of those more than once). Before illness required a move to Maine in 2010, Marge and George split the year between Canandaigua, N.Y., and Borrego Springs, Calif.

Marge had a strong faith and was active in her church throughout her life. She enjoyed tennis, gardening, reading, bridge, crossword puzzles, cooking, sewing, entertaining and being with friends. She participated in the backyard swim program in San Diego, which ensured that children learned to swim at young ages. Marge was instrumental in starting the International Center for foreign students at the University of California, San Diego, and her children remember how interesting it was to have students from Africa, South America, Asia and Europe living in the Hopkins home at different times over a period of many years.

While living in Maine in the 1990s, Marge was involved with the Outreach program at the First Congregational Church of Camden, including the Food Pantry, the SOS Room, and the start-up and initial days of the thrift shop, Heavenly Threads. In addition to her numerous volunteer activities, Marge always enjoyed working, particularly her job in the personnel department of PSA Airlines in San Diego. She was proud of having started a secretarial service in Ames, Iowa, while George was a student there.

Marge made many close women friends, including the “birthday girls,” who remained lifelong friends. Marge's friends have recalled that she was always ready with a warm smile, a kind word, and encouragement, and that she was helpful and supportive during difficult times.

Marge was a 45-year member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood and her membership in Chapter BB Rochester, N.Y., was deeply meaningful and a great source of pleasure to her.

Following George's death in 2010, Marge lived at Quarry Hill in Camden and her family is grateful for the excellent care and support she received at The Courtyard there, as well as at Knox Center, where she has lived since September 2014. The support of Kno-Wal-Lin Hospice in recent months is also much appreciated.

Marge was predeceased by her parents; and her husband, George; her sister-in-law, Barbara Turner; and by her nephew, Christopher Turner.

She is survived by her brother, R. Norman Shaddick of Rochester, N.Y.; her daughter, Sue Hopkins and her husband, Bob Carter, of Camden; her son, Alan Hopkins and his wife, Lavonne Abele, of Gervais, Ore.; her granddaughter, Erin Chagnon and her husband, Jason; as well as her great-grandsons, James and Alexander, all of Sheldon, Vt. Marge is also survived by her former son-in-law, Bob Jocks and his wife, Daniela, of Traverse City, Mich.; and her brothers-in-law, John Hopkins of Pittsford, N.Y., and Keith Turner of Pinehurst, N.C.; and her sister-in-law, Mary Greene of Fairport, N.Y. Also surviving her are her niece, Amy Devereaux; and her nephews, Peter Turner, Matt Turner, Tim Turner, Phelps Greene, and Mark Greene and their families, all of whom Marge adored. While living in Canandaigua, Marge and George were happy to spend much time with Phelps and his wife, Barb, who they came to think of as their children.

Services will be private at the convenience of the family. Donations in Marge's memory may be made to the Shields Mission Project, First Congregational Church of Camden, 55 Elm St., Camden ME 04843 or to a charity of choice.

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home.