Obituary of Debra Jo Hopkins

Debra Jo Hopkins Rochester, NY Debra Jo Hopkins, 40, beloved daughter of Cheryl, beloved sister of Ryan, Tara and Nicole, and beloved aunt of Allison and Robert Kessler, and Aaliyah and Cordell Hopkins, passed away unexpectedly and peacefully, with her family by her side, on Sunday September 12, 2021 at Rochester General Hospital. Born April 13, 1981 in Rochester, she was the daughter of Cheryl Jo Fortner Hopkins and the late Roger C. Hopkins. Debra Jo was raised in Rochester and graduated from Greece Olympia High School in 1999 where she was a great soccer player. She and her team won many awards over her school years. She also loved to sing and had a great voice. She and her mom loved singing to “the oldies” when they traveled on soccer trips. She had an artistic ability and enjoyed painting on canvass, many of which she sold to friends and relatives. Her signature on most of her paintings was an “eye”. She was also an avid collector of frogs and Elvis memorabilia. She loved her “puppies”, most recently having lost her dog Bradley, but still loving the companionship of her rescue dog, Cooper. She leaves behind her loving mother Cheryl Jo Hopkins of Rochester; 1 brother Ryan (Nicole) Hopkins of Hilton; 1 sister Tara Hopkins of Rochester; nieces and nephews Allison Kessler, Robert Kessler, Aaliyah Hopkins and Cordell Hopkins; her maternal aunt and uncle Sue and John Keim of Allegany; her maternal great aunt Carol Nenno of Olean; her paternal aunts Shirley Hopkins, Prudence Gleason and Betty Hart; her stepmother Diane Polvino and several cousins, including Alicia, Andrea and Joshua. She was predeceased by her father Roger C. Hopkins; maternal grandparents Everett “Bud” and Helen Fortner; paternal grandparents Garold and Marian Hopkins, and several other relatives. The family will receive friends on Wednesday (September 22, 2021) from 1-3pm at the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home, 3128 W. State Rd., Olean. A funeral service will begin at 3pm in the funeral home. Burial will follow at Pleasant Valley Cemetery, Olean. Memorials may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be expressed at oleanfuneralhome.com.