Marilyn W. Hopkins

HOLDEN – Marilyn W. (Monahan) Hopkins, 85, beloved wife of the late Harold E. Hopkins, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at UMass Memorial Medical Center. Born and raised in Worcester, she was the daughter of the late Walter and Marion (Carroll) Monahan and made her home in Holden after moving there in 1969.

Marilyn was a graduate of St. Peter’s High School and continued her education at Becker Junior College, where she earned an associate degree. She went on to enjoy a long and fulfilling career as a medical secretary, a role she carried out with professionalism, kindness, and genuine care for others. After many years of dedicated service, she retired in 2004.

Above all else, Marilyn was devoted to her family. When her children were growing up, she cherished skiing trips spent together and family vacations on Cape Cod, creating memories that would last a lifetime. In later years, she found great joy in spending time with her grandchildren and in baking her beloved Christmas spritz cookies, a treasured family tradition. Marilyn was a talented seamstress with a creative eye and took great pride in her work. She was also deeply proud of her Irish heritage, which she carried with warmth, humor, and heart.

Marilyn is lovingly remembered by her three daughters: Christina Matthews and her husband, Jeffrey, of Brunswick, Maine; Colleen Blair and her husband, William, of Rutland and Annemarie Sachse and her husband, Robert, of Jefferson. She also leaves behind nine grandchildren - Elizabeth, Harrison, Patrick, Charlie, Annie, Jackson, Carly, Hannah, and Eric - and two great-grandchildren, Grace and Hallie, all of whom brought her immense joy. She is also survived by two nieces, Gayle Stockhaus and Maureen Maynard. In addition to her parents and her husband of 43 years, Harold, Marilyn was predeceased by her sister, Carol Belle.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 27, at St. Patrick’s Church, 258 Main Street, Rutland. In honor of Marilyn’s proud Irish heritage, the family invites those attending to wear or include something in any shade of green. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Worcester Animal Rescue League in remembrance of the companion animals who were such a meaningful part of Marilyn’s life (https://worcesterarl.org/donate). Arrangements are under the care of Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden. www.milesfuneralhome.com