Frances Hopkins

Frances Hopkins, 83, of Kingston, died Tuesday, January 7, 2026, at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center. Born on May 6, 1942, she was the daughter of the late Victoria Melovitz and the late Frank Novitski. She was a 1960 graduate of Hanover Area High School and was proud to be a Hawkeye.

Fran moved to Edwardsville where she met her husband, the late John J. Hopkins. They married on May 1,1971 and shared 32 years together, until John’s death in 2004. Fran dedicated her life to helping others. After the Agnes flood, Fran helped organize and distribute baby supplies to those affected by the flood. Fran and Hop were an integral part of community activities.They ran the Edwardsville Eagles mini- football organization for two decades, him coaching, and her running the refreshment stand out of his 1971 blue Chevy pick-up.

After his death, she began volunteering at the Saint Vincent dePaul Kitchen. She met a group of ladies who became friends and lunch buddies. She was a member of the Edwardsville Hometown Committee and looked forward to planning community activities. Fran loved the annual Pierogi Festival, selling tickets and getting a chance to see many familiar faces, it was the one event she most looked forward to every year.Everywhere she went she made long lasting friendships.

She was the bright light in the lives of many. She was most proud of her family. She loved her children and grandchildren dearly.In addition to her mother, father, and husband, 

Fran was preceded in death by siblings Leonard Shemanski, Joseph Shemanski, Delphine Bienick, Theresa Burns, Sylvia Conduff, Rose Marie Politz, and Robert Melovitz.

Surviving are son and daughter-in-law, Attorney John Hopkins and Shelly Hopkins; daughter and son-in-law, Melissa Bennett and Steven Bennett; grandchildren, Keara Lambert and husband Noah Lambert, Claudia Hopkins, and Neal Bennett; sister-in-law Kathy Karpinski; sister-in-law Judy Melovitz; cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

A special thank-you to the doctors, nurses, and staff who provided the best care for Fran for the past 24 years.In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Saint Vincent dePaul Kitchen, 39 E. Jackson St, Wilkes- Barre, PA 18701 or the Edwardsville Hometown Committee, P.O. Box 1224, Kingston, PA 18704. You can also continue Fran’s legacy by volunteering in your community.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday at 10:00am in the Church of Saint Ignatius Loyola, Kingston. Friends may call Friday from 3-7p.m. at the Maher-Collins Funeral Home, 360 North Maple Avenue, Kingston.