Elinore Carol Ravert, nee Hopkins, long-time resident of Chester, passed away peacefully and quietly at Orange Regional Medical Center in the Town of Wallkill on Saturday, March 21, 2020, after a brief illness.
Daughter of Arthur S. and Elinore Sharer Hopkins, Carol was born in Philadelphia in February of 1934.
Known to everyone as “Carol,” her middle name was chosen in reference to the second verse of the Christian hymn, “There is Sunshine in my Soul Today:" “There is music in my soul today, a carol to my King.”
In each of her roles as loving daughter, wife, mother, sister, aunt, cousin, friend and educator, through a lifetime of service to others, Carol lived out her dedication to her King and now enjoys being in His presence forever.
After graduation from West Chester State Teachers’ College in West Chester, Pennsylvania, Carol relocated to Chester, N.Y., began her teaching career in 1957 with the Chester School District, joined the First Presbyterian Church of Chester and met and married the love of her life, her late husband John in October 1959.
A beloved son, John Arthur, was to follow in the summer of 1960.
Carol loved her family, her community, her co-workers, friends, church choir and other activities. She was a good pianist and flautist, and would normally read a novel each night or two.
Carol enjoyed her Welsh heritage, especially as reflected in the movie “How Green Was My Valley.” The “Rocky” series of movies was another favorite, mostly because of the connection to Philadelphia. She particularly loved both the book and movie versions of “Gone With the Wind,” read the novel at least two dozen times through, and re-watched the movie literally countless times.
She loved annual summers with family in Ocean City, N.J., enjoying the beach and boardwalk. Her greatest love and legacy, though, was teaching. Carol spent her entire 34-year career in the Chester district, mostly with her favorite age group, 4th grade students. Hundreds of students benefited from her dedication to helping them develop lifelong learning skills, mastering multiplication tables, and learning about world, national and local history, which was by far her favorite subject, both to teach and to study herself.
Carol’s life had its greatest influence through her students, and through all those whose lives were subsequently affected.
After retirement in 1996, Carol continued to enjoy a quiet and comfortable lifestyle with her husband until his passing in 2005. Thereafter, she continued with church activities, spending time with family and friends, and was instrumental in founding a local chapter of the “Red Hats,” a group she very much enjoyed socializing with for many years.
Carol was predeceased by her husband, John, and older brother Arthur Stuart Hopkins Jr. She is survived by her son, John, also of Chester, brother and sister-in-law C.T. and MaryAnne Hopkins, of Florida, brother and sister-in-law Jack and Penni Hopkins of Maryland, sisters-in-law Jacqueline Hopkins of Maryland, Carol Ann Ravert of Texas, and Alice Ravert of New York, brother-in-law William Voorhees of South Carolina; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
The family wishes to thank Debbie Lou Adams, Catherine DeAngeles, Kim McCray, Yvette Muniz, Rosemary and Alan Eckard, Pastor Erin Moore, church family and friends, and the many doctors, nurses, hospital staff, home health aides and therapists who have given of their skills and comfort over the past several years.
Due to current restrictions on gatherings, a celebration of Carol’s life and reception will be planned for and announced later this year.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Chester Presbyterian Church Capital Fund, First Presbyterian Church, 94-96 Main Street, Chester, NY 10918.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Thomas F. Flynn and Brendan T. Flynn and the staff of Flynn Funeral and Cremation Memorial Centers, 139 Stage Road, Monroe NY 10950.
To offer an online memorial for the family to read, please visit www.flynnfh.com and share a memory of a wonderful teacher, community leader and faithful servant at flynnfh.com