Dorothy Conner Hoppe

The family of Dorothy Jean Conner Hoppe, 92, celebrates her new residence in Heaven following her peaceful passing at home on October 13, 2015. Since 2011, Jean was blessed to have spent her days in the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Patricia & Jan Anderson, surrounded by the love of family and new friends. Her room had a delightful view and was filled with a lifetime of photos and the music of Jones College Radio, the Beautiful Music Station. She was born in Washington, Iowa, on December 8, 1922 to Irene (Perry) & Walter Conner, and was the adoring big sister of Robert Walter Conner. After high school, Jean attended the University of Iowa’s Nursing Program, but enlisted in the Women’s Army Corps during WWII. She was stationed at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida where she was served as a control tower operator. That first day at Eglin, a tall, dark and handsome soldier, William Frank Hoppe, Jr., was assigned to conduct her base orientation. It was love at first sight for both of them. Bill was soon deployed to New Guinea, but their love and devotion survived the difficulties of war and they were married on February 28, 1946 in Ottumwa, Iowa. Their lives were centered on faith and family. In 1947, while attending the University of Iowa Patricia Lynn was born. Then in 1953 Barbara Ann was born in Jacksonville, Florida where they had moved after graduation. They were active members of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church for over 50 years. After raising their daughters, Jean worked as department manager at May Cohen’s, however she subsequently took a position at Blue Cross & Blue Shield where she could utilize her love for teaching and her medical training to help others attain the knowledge and confidence they needed to advance their careers. In all she was a woman of excellence and dedication. There was such oneness of purpose and mind in their 59 years of marriage that it’s difficult to mention one without the other. In retirement, she and her husband delighted in their family and pursuing their mutual passion for preserving family history. After Bill went to be with the Lord in 2005, she lived in the home of her granddaughter Ansley in Jacksonville. In her final years, she lived in her daughter Patricia’s home in Apopka. Barbara moved to Apopka in 2014 to assist in her care. She is survived by two children, Patricia Anderson and Barbara Goodrich; four grandchildren, Paul Lechner, Matthew Anderson and wife Corinne, Ansley (Goodrich) Ward and husband Ray, and (Jeffery) Chase Goodrich; five great-grandchildren, Joshua Whaley, (William) Conner Ward, Andrew Ward, Avery Anderson, and Afton Anderson. A memorial service in celebration of her life will be held Friday, October 16, 2015 at 2PM in the Chapel at Calvary Assembly, 1199 Clay Street, Winter Park, FL 32789.

Dorothy Conner Hoppe

December 8, 1922 - October 13, 2015