SACO — Patricia Rae Hopkins, 68, of Saco, died unexpectedly on Saturday, July 12, 2014 at Southern Maine Health Care in Biddeford.

She was born in Cambridge, Massachu-setts on May 22, 1946, the daughter of Raymond C. Hopkins and Barbara G. Hopkins.

Tricia studied early childhood education at the Perry Normal School.

In earlier years, she taught kindergarten and ran an in-home daycare. She went on to try such things as cross-country truck driving and eventually became a Vista volunteer, dedicating countless hours to people in her community in need.

Over the years, Tricia was also a foster parent to five children.

Tricia loved nature, animals and the ocean. Most of all, she loved her family and was deeply dedicated to her children.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

She is survived by: her children, Nichole Martin and her husband Gene Martin, Connor MacCalister and Jeremey Hopkins; her sisters, Linda Hopkins and Janet Clark; her granddaughter, Payton Martin; and her nieces and nephews, Robert McElhany, Vanessa Clark, Crista Hopkins, Wallace Clark and Raymond Clark.

A private family memorial will be held on Sunday, July 20, 2014. To those who wish to remember Tricia in a special way, please make donations in her name to the Good Shepherd Food Bank.