Margot (Margie) Hopfer, nee Oppenheim, age 93, of New York City and Weston, passed away on January 30, 2019. She was born in Würtzburg, Germany on January 2, 1926. The daughter of the late Louis and Hedwig Oppenheim (Richnowsky). The loving wife of the late Heinz (Henry) Hopfer and brother of Ralph Oppenheim, of Boynton Beach, Florida.
Margot was 12 years old when her family was forced to flee Germany after Kristallnacht. She and her brother left Germany in the Kindertransport program, eventually arriving in England in January 1939. Her father was killed in a concentration camp but her mother eventually also made her way to England as well. Heroically she, as a thirteen year old, escaped an abusive foster situation and with her brother was capable of connecting with her mother in London. The family then made their way to the US, and with an American sponsor, settled in Manhattan.
In New York she reconnected with her future husband Henry. Henry went off to serve in WW II and after his return they married in 1946.
Margie and Henry lived a simple life always happy to be with family and friends for her love of opera Margie had season tickets to the Metropolitan Opera until late in life, but continued to listen to Classical and Opera music. She also was a voracious reader, even having several books at the ready. Her greatest joy was visiting her daughter’s family in Connecticut on many weekends throughout the year and travelling to California for the summer spending time with her son’s family.
Despite the challenges in her early life, Margie exuded joy and happiness to everyone she met. As a bakery salesperson she knew everybody on the neighborhood. When the children moved she created new friends and acquaintances in those communities, too.. She was much loved by these friends on both coasts, even gaining the award of being an Honorary Rotarian in Sebastopol Sunrise Club.
Margie is survived by her children Louis Hopfer and his wife Mary Ann of Sebastopol, CA, and Helen Goldenberg and her husband Rick of Weston, CT. She is also survived by her five grandchildren, Ben Hopfer of Oakland, CA, Ethan Hopfer of Healdsburg, CA, Dan Goldenberg of San Francisco, CA, Shari Goldenberg of New York City, NY, and Jana Goldenberg, of Norwalk, CT, as well as one great-grandchild, Elise Hopfer, of Healdsburg, CA. Margie Hopfer also leaves a legion of close friends and acquaintances.
Those wishing to honor Margie can give donations to Visiting Nurse and Hospice of Fairfield County in her name. www.visitingnurse.net