Joyce Deborah (Prosser) Hopkins

Joyce Deborah Hopkins (née Prosser, formerly Berry) passed away on January 28, 2025, at the age of 71. A woman of undeniable resilience, Joyce lived a life shaped by love, loss, and an unrelenting determination to beat the odds—including her decades-long triumph as a cancer survivor. 

Born on August 20, 1953, Joyce defied convention from an early age. As a high school junior, she left behind textbooks and teenage rites of passage to marry her pen pal, Frank Berry. Frank was devoted, romantic, and steadfastly faithful—qualities Joyce never let those around her forget. Their love was rich with letters, laughter, and a shared sense of adventure. Tragically, at just 20 years old, her world shattered when she found Frank lifeless in their bedroom. Heartbroken but resolute, she carried his memory with her as she pressed forward. 

As a widow, Joyce met Arthur Hopkins and soon became pregnant with their first son, who would take his name. Embracing her new family, she adopted the Hopkins surname when they married. Over the next decade, she welcomed three more children: Joy, Elvis (named, of course, after the King), and Michael. Motherhood became her occupation, her vocation, and at times, her greatest challenge. She navigated life’s struggles with creativity and tenacity to make ends meet. 

Joyce never held a traditional job, but her contributions were immeasurable. She was rich in presence. She took her children to the beach and never hurried them, allowing them to play until the sun dipped below the horizon and their fingers wrinkled from salt water. She attended not only games, but also practices, cheering her children on with the passion of a die-hard fan. Christmas mornings were executed with military precision, ensuring each child felt like the most loved in the world. She tirelessly advocated for scholarships, opening doors to summer camps and opportunities that would otherwise have been out of reach. 

Words were Joyce’s refuge and joy—she penned countless letters to pen pals, read newspapers aloud with theatrical flair, and found solace in stories. She adored professional sports, particularly baseball and football, and the voice of Elvis Presley was the soundtrack to her life. Food was another great love-there wasn’t a dish she wouldn’t try or a meal she didn’t savor. She also had a special love for animals, particularly cats, and her last cat, a tuxedo named Oreo, was a beloved companion.

 In addition to her four children, Joyce leaves behind five grandchildren, Vanessa, Arthur, Fernando, Donovan, and Ashley, who are the cherished legacies of her eldest three children and their former partners. She is also survived by her older siblings, Donald, Christian (aka Kippy), and Constance (aka Sister). Her life was a testament to persistence, to making things work against impossible odds. Above all else, she was present. And in a world where presence is fleeting, that was her greatest gift of all.

 Her funeral will be held on Monday, February 3rd at 10 a.m. from the NARDOLILLO FUNERAL HOME & Crematory, 1278 Park Ave., Cranston, followed by burial at Highland Memorial Park in Johnston. VISITING HOURS are Sunday, February 2nd from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.