Dorina L. Hopcroft

Dorina (Dee) L. (Laperle) Hopcroft

1947 – 2026

Putnam – Dorina L. (Laperle) Hopcroft, affectionately known as "Dee", 78, of Putnam, died peacefully in the early morning of March 4, 2026 at Pierce Memorial Baptist Home. Born and raised in Rumford, Maine, she was the daughter of the late Roma and Mary (Kezal) Laperle.

Dee earned her MSW from Anna Maria College and worked as a Social Worker for 35 years, most recently as a Family Preservation Therapist for MSPCC in Massachusetts until her retirement. She impacted hundreds of lives with her warmth and compassion, always striving to help people to grow and live better lives.

She was an avid reader and loved to watch movies, especially dramas and action/adventure films. Dee was a founding member of the Theatre of Northeastern CT, Inc. (originally Northeast Repertory Theater) operating at the Bradley Playhouse. She was a dedicated actor, director and volunteer there for 25 years, serving as the theater's first Office Manager (as a volunteer) in the early years. The theater's existence today is largely due to her passion and commitment to the arts throughout those years.

Dorina is survived by her daughter, Tonya L. Brock and her husband Greg of Pomfret Center, twins Stephanie L. Vece of Mystic and James D. Hopcroft, along with his wife Leslie of Hialeah, FL; two sisters, Donna L. Laperle and Lori Watson of Vancouver, WA; her five grandchildren, Alex Mercier, Logan Brock, Aaron, Sean and Alexis Hopcroft, and great-granddaughters Eloise and Juniper Mercier. She was predeceased by her parents and her two brothers, Alan and Jeffrey Laperle.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life for Dee on Saturday, March 28th, 2026 starting at 12:00 (noon) at The Bradley Playhouse, 30 Front St Putnam, CT 06260. Please consider making a donation in her memory to United Services, in support of their Mental Health services at 2026 Annual Appeal at https://secure.qgiv.com/for/nixniz or to TNECT at https://www.thebradleyplayhouse.org/donate.

For memorial guestbook, please visit www.GilmanAndValade.com. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam, CT.