Others Magazine

Major Marge Hopkins was promoted to glory from her home at Elermore Vale (NSW) on Wednesday 27 January 2021. She was 99 years old and surrounded by her loving family when she passed.

Marge Judd entered The Salvation Army Training College from the Paddington Corps (NSW) in 1941 with the other cadets in the Crusader session.

From college, she was appointed as Corps Officer to Blackbutt Corps (Qld), then relocated to Laidley Corps (Qld) for nine months (Oct 1942–July 1943), Stanthorpe Corps (Qld) for 18 months (July 1943–Nov 1944) before returning to Blackbutt Corps for six weeks. In January 1945, Marge was appointed to Wynnum Corps (Qld) for six months before spending six months at the Goulburn Boys Home (NSW). This meant that in Marge’s first four years of officership she had held seven different appointments.

In 1946, Marge married Captain Eric Hopkins and together they were appointed to St Peters Mens’ Industrial Home (1946-7) where they stayed for two years. Marge and Eric were then appointed to Mortdale Corps (NSW) in 1948 and this is where Gwenda was born. In 1949, they relocated to Five Dock Corps (NSW) and it was from here that Marge and Eric left the work and took up secular employment for three years, during which time Anne and Graham were born. In November 1952, Marge and Eric were reaccepted as officers and subsequently appointed to Mackay Corps (Qld) from 1953-55, then Kingaroy Corps (Qld) from 1956-58, and Paddington (Qld) in 1959-60 where Donald arrived and finished off their family unit.

In 1961, Marge, Eric and their four children relocated to Newcastle City Corps (NSW), followed by Orange Corps (NSW) from 1963-65, Mayfield Corps (NSW) from 1966-69, to Queensland and Albion Corps in 1970-71, then back to NSW and Taree Corps from 1971-73, Rockdale Corps from 1974-77, Petersham Corps from August 1977-1978) and their final corps appointment at Bundaberg (Qld) in 1979-80. From here they spent four and a half years during which Eric worked in the Property Department while Marge worked in the Trade, before retiring together on 1 August 1985.

In retirement, Marge enjoyed reading, doing crosswords, knitting, and spending time with family. In addition, Marge and Eric enjoyed outings with ARPA and trips both around Australia and overseas. At the age of 80, Marge learned how to use a computer and enjoyed making cards on it and sending emails for many years.

Our love, sympathy and prayers are with Gwenda, Anne, Graham and Donald, their families, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as the many friends honouring Marge’s life. May God bring comfort to those who mourn her passing, confident in the knowledge that she is now with her Lord and Master.

“Great is thy Faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see; All I have needed thy hand has provided; Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me.” – Thomas Obadiah Chisholm (1866-1960)

The funeral service for Major Marge Hopkins will be held at 2pm, Monday 8 February 2021, at the Newcastle Worship and Community Centre, 67 Cleary Street, Hamilton NSW 2303.