Judy Dafoe Hopkins

1941 - 2011

Judy Dafoe Hopkins

Juneau resident Judy Dafoe Hopkins, 69, died at her winter home in Portland, Oregon on March 9, 2011.

Judy was born in Gooding, Idaho on August 8, 1941 and moved to Juneau in 1953. She graduated from Juneau High School in 1959. Judy worked for Senator Ernest Gruening in Washington, D.C.; as a secretary for Atlantic Richfield and ARCO Alaska in Anchorage; and as an administrator for the Legislative Affairs Agency. Judy was active in the League of Women Voters of Alaska and in the many activities of her Juneau High School class of 1959 over the years.

Judy started her full-time career in quilting after being named Alaska state winner of the Great American Quilt Contest (the "Liberty Contest") in 1986. Since then, she has written and co-authored 18 design and pattern books for quilters, designed and produced tools for quilters, and designed a line of quilt-themed jewelry.

Judy is survived by her husband of 49 years, Bill Hopkins; daughter Blythe Campbell and husband Rob of Anchorage; daughter Darien Reece and husband Jeff of Portland; Bill's daughter Peggy Hopkins and partner Jill Christiansen of Seattle; five adorable grandchildren; Dafoe and Allen cousins and family members; many cherished friends and former classmates; and hundreds of passionate and devoted quilters across the country. She was preceded in death by her mother, Lois Smith Dafoe, and father, Don Dafoe.

Judy's family thanks her friends and classmates Jill Bryson and Dick Reynolds for their support in Judy's final days. Her family and friends will treasure their memories of an intelligent, accomplished and organized woman. As close family friend Forest Hembree said, "Judy left a large wake."

At Judy's wish, no public service will be held. Memorial contributions may be made to the Juneau Community Foundation's Arts & Humanities Fund, www.juneaucf.org.