Nancy Louise (Thiel) Hopkins

Nancy Louise (Thiel) Hopkins, a devoted mother, sister, grandmother, and friend, passed away early on the morning of April 5 after a long illness with her family by her side. She was 64.

Nancy was born to Marjorie (Robinson) and Carleton Thiel on October 8, 1955. She graduated from Homer High School in 1973 and spent a short time living in California with her son before returning to Cortland County, where she lived for the rest of her life.

She spent more than three decades helping New York State residents access critical medical coverage. She rose to the level of supervisor in Cortland County before having her second child and transferring to the Tompkins County Department of Social Services. She attended classes at Tompkins County Community College where she pursued a paralegal degree. Her personal time was filled with projects, from genealogical research to an annual backyard vegetable garden and the many loaves of zucchini bread that came out of it. She was an active 4-H mom, was known to sew Halloween costumes for her children and oversaw countless home improvement jobs. She most loved spending time with family.

Nancy was pre-deceased by her parents and her son, Christopher Fox. She is survived by child Emily Hopkins (Allan Lasser) of Indianapolis; twin sister Carol Thiel (Peter Collinge) of Rochester and brother Martin Thiel (Susan Shields) of Homer; grandchildren Davyd Fox of Dryden and Danica Fox of Cortland; aunt Erma (Robert) Riley of Jordan, New York; nephews Matthew (Caitlin) Thiel of Swanton, Vermont and Joe Weygant of Eugene, Oregon; and two beloved feline companions, Betty and Boop.

Due to the ongoing public health crisis, services will be held at a later date.

Nancy was a cancer survivor, so in lieu of flowers, Nancy’s family asks that donations be made in her name to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation at www.bcrf.org.

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