Joan C. (Hopkins) Shockman

Joan C. (Hopkins) Shockman, age 82, of Cohasset, passed away peacefully on July 25, 2021 at home. Beloved wife of Philip C. Shockman and devoted mother of Carl Shockman of Houston, TX, Susan Hixson of Cohasset, and Jill Fitzgerald of Hingham. She was the adoring grandmother of Molly and Max Fitzgerald, Mason Fitzgerald, Carleton Shockman, Sofia Shockman, Laney Hixson, and Brian Hixson. Joan was preceded in death by her twin brother John Hopkins.

Joan was born in 1938 in Whiting, Iowa to Dr. Carl Hopkins and Helen Langhren Hopkins. Her father, a dentist for the US Army, spent much of WW II serving in Africa and Italy. He then returned home to root his family in Onawa, Iowa, where he started his private dental practice. Dr. Hopkins was a kind and generous man who was well respected in his town. He always put patients first, often accepting eggs and produce from patients who could not afford to pay.

Joan relished and thrived growing up in a small town and often told stories about life in a rural community including how she detasseled corn at farms during her summer months. Joan played organ occasionally at Sunday services in her Congregational Church and graduated from High School in Onawa.

Joan graduated from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa where she majored in Biology and was a member of Chi Omega Sorority. After graduation, Joan moved to Denver, CO, where she accepted a job as a General Science teacher at Byers Junior High School.

It was in Sept. 1962 in Denver that Joan would meet her husband, Phil, while on a blind date. The were engaged on St. Patrick’s Day 1963 and were married only a few months later on July 6, 1963. After purchasing their first home in Littleton, CO, Joan continued teaching while Phil worked as a detail man for Eli Lilly and attended Denver Univ. working on his MBA. Joan and Phil travelled to Europe in 1966 on a $10 per day program, only a few short months before the twins were born. They lived in Littleton, CO, Indianapolis, IN, and Albany, NY, before their move to Cohasset in 1974.

Joan was a member of the Second Congregational Church in Cohasset, PEO and the Cohasset Garden Club. She was a talented flower arranger and was Past President of The Community Garden Club of Cohasset and the Cohasset Garden Club. She loved sailing and was a member of the Cohasset Yacht Club, as well as the Cohasset Golf Club.

A Private Family Graveside Service will be celebrated at Cohasset Central Cemetery, conducted by Pastor Karen. In lieu of flowers, donations to honor Joan may be made to the Scituate Animal Shelter, Norwell VNA and Hospice, The Second Congregational Church of Cohasset, or a charity of one’s choice.

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