Sally Rue Hopkinson

Sally Rue Clarke Hopkinson

Sally passed away peacefully on June 14, 2025, at home surrounded by loved ones. She was one month shy of turning 90 years old.

Sally was born on July 17, 1935, in Stillwater, Minnesota to Lewis Norton and Helen Mildred Clarke. She had one brother, Lewis Clarke. She married young and from her first marriage she had 8 children. She was introduced to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints after her marriage ended and she moved herself and her children to Orem, Utah. She was introduced to the love of her life, (Allan) Gary Hopkinson, by a mutual friend and they were married and sealed in the Manti Temple on October 15, 1965. After their marriage, they moved with the children to Springville, Utah and there had 1 stillborn son and 2 more children.

SalRue was an extremely talented singer. She was a classically trained opera singer while she was young, a very accomplished piano player, and continued with the love of music her entire life. She was a choir director for 35 years in her ward, and she taught all her children that same love of music. She loved to sing and act in the local community plays, such as the Sound of Music (Mother Superior), and Saturday’s Warrior (the Heavenly Guide). None of her children, or neighbors, will ever forget her calling us home at night by singing from the front porch - echoing throughout the entire neighborhood.

SalRue was a mom first and foremost, however, her careers varied from using her seamstress skills for fun and unique jobs, like working for the Donny & Marie show on costumes, or working for the BYU Dance department, sewing costumes for many performances. She’s incredibly good with words and used that to become a secretary and proofreader for the Springville Herald.

Mom loved to quilt and do needlework for family members. She also loved to read, whether books for herself or reading aloud to any of her grandchildren. She was never far away from a favorite book or the scriptures she loved to study. She was an expert at doing crossword puzzles and word games. She enjoyed sitting down with any of her family and putting together a jigsaw puzzle or playing a card game. Her smile and laugh will be greatly missed.

Sally is preceded in death by her husband, Gary Hopkinson; her son, Christopher; and her parents, Lewis and Helen Clarke. She is survived by 10 children: Jim (Peggy) Hopkinson; Diana Thomas; Angie (Seth) Boyer; Clarke Hopkinson; Susan (Michael) Calderon; Sandy (Harry) Dahlberg; Jules (Jerry) Germeau; Mari (Scott) Bird; John (Tressa) Hopkinson; and Jenifer (Brian) Smullin; 43 grandchildren and 80+ great grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother Lewis (Barb) Clarke.

There will be a graveside service on June 21, 2025, at 9:00 am at the Springville Evergreen Cemetery. There will be a celebration of Sally’s life following the graveside service at 989 S Spanish Fork Pkwy, Spanish Fork, UT 84660, all who loved Sally are welcome

Condolences may be expressed to the family on this page.