HOPKINS, Katherine Claire. Feb 5, 1931 - April 12, 2014. Mom was born in 1931 in Armstrong, BC to a pioneer ranching family. She met Dad at the University of BC, and upon marriage, moved to Surrey, where they were actively involved in the purebred Hereford industry for sixty years. They mentored a generation of young 4-H members through the Surrey Beef Club. Claire was a White Rock realtor for many years with Wolstencroft Realty, and a talented business woman. Tom and Claire had 4 daughters, Susan, Kathy, Bev (Cameron) and Roxanne. All live in BC. She was a lifelong gardener, raising all the family vegetables sustainably long before it was fashionable. She was also an adept knitter, providing for generations of family members heirlooms which will be treasured. Along with a love of nature, the values of integrity, warmth and hard work were added legacies for their daughters. She was also the glue that held so many cousins together, through her annual picnics at the farm. Claire passed away in Peace Arch Hospice on April 12th, 2014. She will be missed by numerous family members in Armstrong, Vancouver Island, England and the United States. She was predeceased by husband Thomas, who passed away two weeks before Mom; and by her sister Lenora Gessner, and brother R.A. Gus Wood. A Celebration of her life will be held this Summer. In lieu of flowers, donations to the "NMO Clinic", UBC/VGH Hospital Foundation,
#190 - 855 West 12th Ave, Vancouver BC V5Z 1M9 to Attn: Sara Chu would be gratefully received.