Marvalene Ann Hoppin

            Marvalene Ann (Shanks) Hoppin, 81, passed peacefully March 5, 2025, with the comfort of her family on Hilton Head Island, SC.

            Born March 6, 1943, in Danville, IL, she was a daughter of Robert James and Margaret Elizabeth (Ford) Shanks of Tilton, IL.  She graduated from Danville’s public schools and earned a bachelor’s degree with honors in the dual majors of Latin and Spanish from Eastern Illinois University. 

            On June 5, 1965, she married Thomas E. Hoppin in Catlin, IL, who survives and remained deeply devoted to her care throughout her battle with dementia.  She taught languages and history in the public schools of Charleston and Mattoon, IL until the couple moved to Philadelphia in 1969.

            Mrs. Hoppin is survived by her husband of 59 years of Hilton Head Island.  In addition, she is survived by her daughter, Elizabeth Ann Pierce (Morgan) of Sausalito, CA, her son, Robert Curtiss Hoppin (Jill), and grandchildren Thomas and Clara Hoppin, all of Charlottesville, VA, as well as numerous nieces and nephews and their children. 

            Mrs. Hoppin’s greatest joys came from witnessing and learning of the accomplishments of her children and grandchildren, music, genealogy and her extensive travels.  She was an accomplished church accompanist on the piano and organ through her teens and later and also accompanied musical productions during her public school years.  

            With her husband, she lived at various times in Bloomington and Mattoon, IL, Paoli and Malvern, PA, and Midlothian and Richmond, VA, before the couple fully retired to Hilton Head Island in 1999. She was an active volunteer during the school years of her children and was a member and officer of the Brandermill (Midlothian, VA) Women’s Club, serving one year as the club’s president.  As a member of that club, she was instrumental in establishing a bridge marathon that benefitted local charities.

            Upon their retirement, the couple extensively traveled the world.  Getting as close as one could to the North and South Poles without stepping on ice, they circumnavigated the globe in a 180-day around-the-world cruise and, combined with numerous other cruises, visited every continent while logging nearly 1,000 days and tens of thousands of miles at sea.

            Arrangements are being managed by The Island Funeral Home of Hilton Head Island and Bliley’s Funeral Home in Richmond.  A Celebration of Life will be held on Hilton Head and a private interment will be in historic Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, both at later dates. 

The family is grateful for all expressions of sympathy and encourages charitable donations in her honor to Memory Matters, PO Box 22330, Hilton Head Island, SC 29925 or The David M. Carmines Memorial Foundation, PO Box 22519, Hilton Head Island, SC 29925.