Elaine Carroll Hopkins

Elaine Carroll Hopkins age 79 formerly a resident of Couer D Alene, Idaho. Passed away Sunday February 5, 2023, in Aztec New Mexico with her daughter by her side. Elaine was born on November 17, 1943, in Baltimore, Maryland to Charles Carroll and Regina Towson. She was preceded in death by her parents Charles and Regina, Sister Ruth Towson, husband Ted Hopkins and a Granddaughter Aleah Stahl.

Elaine is survived by her Daughter Patricia Quintana, Stepdaughters Ronda (Steve) Martin, Cindy (Bob) Welch, Luanne (David) Stahl.

Grandchildren, Jenna De La Riva, Jamie Olson, Lindsey Williams, Meghan Landis, Chad Stacy, Heather Dismukes, Rayme Beaudry and Teddy Shahl.

Twenty Great Grandchildren and Three Great Great Grandchildren. 

Elaine was a 1964 Graduate of Maryland General Hospital School of Nursing in Baltimore MD. She started her nursing career at the same hospital before moving shortly to Florida with her first husband Paul Quintana. She returned to Maryland in 1965 and started working at St. Joseph’s Hospital before relocating to Jemez Springs New Mexico in 1979. She worked as the School Nurse for the Jemez Valley School District. The Public Health Nurse for Checkerboard Health System where she worked at the local clinic as well as the 9-bed hospital in Cuba New Mexico. Elaine volunteered to be an EMT for the town of Jemez Springs. During this time she flew in a helicopter or two as the closest hospital was 60 miles away. She climbed down those canyons and put herself in many predicaments rescuing the injured.

Elaine met and married her second husband Ted Hopkins in 1981. She worked as Director of Nursing for the Servants of the Paraclete until 1984 when they relocated to Post Falls Idaho. Elaine worked several years at Sacred Heart Hospital as a Nurse Manager in their geropsychiatry department. Her work focused on “Aging and Spirituality” She helped create an educational program called “ A Journey Through Meaning” which led her to write her book.

One of Elaines proudest accomplishments was publishing the book “Working with Groups on Spiritual Themes”. She led several classes, presentations, and group discussions on her work with caregivers using faith and legacy with her patients dealing with memory issues.

She was then “Called” to the former "Couer D Alene Homes” now Orchard Ridge Senior living where she stayed until retirement at the age of 68. During her time there she was an integral part in the planning and development of the new facility you see today. In 2009 she won The Assisted Living Nurse of the Year. In her nomination letter Director Mike Grabenstein called her “tireless” ” visionary” and deeply devoted to her profession. She started the Legacy Project, a program that uses memory books to remember the life and history of each resident.

During their spare time Elaine and Ted enjoyed their beloved Lake Coeur D Alene and camping at the “Cabin” at Libby Dam RV Park in Libby Montana.

She was a devoted grandmother “Gram” who held “Camp Grandma” many summers with arts and crafts, scrapbooking, skits and dress up. She always made each and every one of them feel special in their own way.

A celebration of Life will be held in Couer D Alene Idaho in August 2024 where interment will follow. The family would like to thank everyone for calls, support, prayers during this time.