Rita Lynch Hopkins, John XXIII Home, Hermitage, formerly of Pearl St., Sharon, passed away peacefully at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday (4-26-11) in UPMC Horizon Hospital, Farrell. She was 91.

Mrs. Hopkins was born April 23, 1920 in Sharon a daughter of the late Thomas and Anna Purcell Lynch.

As a lifelong resident of Sharon, Rita attended St. Joseph Parochial Grade School and was a 1937 graduate of Sharon High School.

Following high school she was employed in the advertising department of The Herald and later in life joined the sales division of Chryson's Christmas Cards. She will best be remembered, however, as an exceptional homemaker who dedicated her life to her family and faith.

Her husband, William A. 'Bud' Hopkins, whom she married in St. Joseph Church, Sharon, in 1942, passed away unexpectedly in 1963.

Surviving are: three daughters, Marcia Hand and her husband Owen, Aptos, California; Catherine Whalen and her husband George, N. Canton, Ohio; and Mary Rita Cricks and her husband Ben, Sharpsville; a son, William A. Hopkins and his wife Vicki, Baltimore, Maryland; seven grandchildren, Kevin and Matthew Whalen; Willie Hopkins; Brittney Hopkins Tracy; and Maggie, Emily and Annie Cricks; and two great grandchildren, Sean and Luke Whalen. She also leaves a sister-in-law, Catherine Lynch; and many nieces and nephews.

Besides her parents and husband, Rita was preceded in death by a son, Thomas P. Hopkins; two sisters, Mary Louise Heinzer and Catherine Bovard; and five brothers, John, Thomas, Gerald 'Pickle', Donald and Robert Lynch.

A devout Catholic, Rita was a lifelong active member of St. Joseph Church in Sharon where her family has attended for four generations. She was a member and of its Women's Guild and was instrumental in starting the former soup festival at the church, which was enjoyed by many. She was also a member of the St. Joseph PTO; the Serra Club of Mercer County; and John XXIII Home Auxiliary. Rita was very proud of her Irish heritage and enjoyed many St. Patrick Day's and Notre Dame football games with her family and friends. May her noble soul be at the right hand of God.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to John XXIII Home, 2250 Shenango Valley Freeway, Hermitage, PA 16148; or to a charity of the donor's choice.

Calling hours will be 4-7 p.m. Friday (4-29-11) in J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon.

Friends may email condolences by visiting www.McGonigleFuneralHomeandCrematory.com.

Mass of Christian burial will be 10 a.m. Saturday (4-30-11) in St. Joseph Church, Sharon, with Msgr. John B. Hagerty, as celebrant.

Interment: St. Mary's Cemetery, Hermitage.