Rina Hopkins

Our beloved sister, Rina L. Hopkins, 72 passed away on May 25th, 2021 surrounded by her family from a 20-month battle with Ovarian Cancer.  Rina had resided recently in Gillette, Wyoming.  She originally lived in Cranston for over 40 years before she moved to Gillette, with her sister Lorraine, due to her cancer fight. She was preceded in death by her husband, Douglas Hopkins, her parents Roland and Rita Riendeau, her niece Mary Anne Riendeau and her brothers-in-law, Richard and Steve Hopkins. Rina was a bookkeeper and secretary her whole life.  She was employed by Phillips Memorial Baptist Church, Rhode Island Plumbers Association, Modern Press and Richmond Sales in her youth. Her loves were reading, crocheting, gardening and collecting crazy socks that use to embarrass her family when she wore them.  She belonged to the Phillips Memorial Baptist Church Choir and the Monday night Church knitting group was a constant in her life.  Missing it was not an option because she loved to go and chat with all the ladies and work on a project. She loved all the girls that attended.  Rina called it her Therapy session.  Crocheting was an everyday event, for hours.  We swear she could do it in her sleep and I believe we witnessed it once or twice. Her friends were important in her life and Rina always knew she had the best friends ever.  A constant flow of greeting cards and phone calls would be received, telling her that they were thinking about her and praying for her health.   Eleanor Wilson was her oldest and dearest friend for over 50 years.  Eleanor was always there when Rina needed her in good times or the most difficult times in her life.  Rina cherished their friendship and loved Eleanor very much. Rina leaves behind her brother Armand Riendeau and his wife Janis of Jacksonville, Florida, sister and caregiver Lorraine Smelser and her husband William of Gillette, Wyoming ,sisters-in-law Barbara and Eileen Hopkins, nephews John Riendeau of Jacksonville, Florida and Christian Riendeau and his wife Annie of Sorento, Illinois.   Also left behind is her beloved cat, Sophie, who never left her Mom’s side while she was sick and use to howl when Rina was not there.  We swear we could hear her howl HELLO, HELLO looking for her mom.

A Memorial Service will be held on Monday September 20, 2021 at 10:00am in The Butterfield Chapel 500 Pontiac Avenue Cranston. Burial will be in Rockland Cemetery in Scituate. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the organization listed below.