Judith Heckroth Hoopes

Judith Heckroth Hoopes died of ovarian cancer on January 26, 2017 at the Country House.

She was born in Wilmington, Delaware to Anna Carlon and Ernest Richard Heckroth. She graduated in the Class of 1956 of Pierre S DuPont High School and from Duke University, Class of 1960, where she was a Dean’s List Student, Class President, and May Queen. One year after graduation she married Robert R Hoopes, a union that lasted 53 very happy years, until Rob’s death on July 8, 2014. The Hoopes had two children Stephanie and Robert and this family unit was the focus of their lives. The family greatly valued education including their longtime association with Friends School and Duke University. In addition to a vibrant and joyful life at West Farm, they spent many enjoyable summer days at their cottage in Stone Harbor, New Jersey and in the winter in their townhouse in the Truman Annex in Old Town, Key West. The family shared a love of travel, and with the exception for Antarctica, visited all the earth’s continents.

A life long Delawarean, Judy was deeply committed to the state and the Delaware non-profit community. Judy was the first woman to chair the YMCA board, and a founder of the Fund for Women. She was involved in many state arts organizations including chairing the Delaware State Arts Council, a gubernatorial appointment. Her college major in history led to long-time involvement with the Delaware Historical Society. She was a founding board member and chair of the Delaware Community Foundation. And Judy received the Lifetime Achievement in Philanthropy Award from the AFP.

She is preceded by her husband of 53 years, Robert Riter Hoopes, his daughter Stephanie Hoopes, his son Robert R. Hoopes, Jr. (Hilary), five grandchildren, James Marshall and Elizabeth Riter Halpin, Penelope Colton, Riter Barnes, and Charlotte Payne Hoopes, a sister Phyllis Heckroth Trager, and a brother-in-law Frank M. Hoopes, Jr. (Anne), nieces Laura Nilsen (Keith), Ashley Wilks (David) and nephews Josh Trager (Sue) and Greg Trager (Sarah).
The family would like to express its deep appreciation to Dr. Donald Hayes and Dr. Mark Cadungog for their excellent care, as well as the first-rate staffs of the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center and the Country House.

If you would like to remember Judy, the family suggests a contribution to the Frank M. and Robert R. Hoopes Lecture Fund c/o the Delaware Community Foundation, Box 1636, Wilmington, DE 19899.