Johanna B. Hopps

Johanna Fassbender Hopps, 73, of Charleston, SC wife of the late George Hopps, passed away Tuesday, October 20, at her residence.

Mrs. Hopps was born May 17, 1942, in Cologne, Germany during a bomb attack in an air raid shelter in the midst of World War II. As a child and teenager, Johanna sang in the renowned Cologne Children’s Choir.

She came to New York in 1964 and studied to became a translator for Italian, French and German were she met her first husband Ken Hopps. Together they designed manufactured and imported leisure furniture from Vietnam. After her husband’s untimely death Johanna continued to run the company until she became executive Secretary at Bayer here in Charleston. When she remarried her husband’s widowed brother she retired and they became avid world travelers. Unfortunately George Hopps’ death left her a widow a second time.
Johanna loved Italian Opera, Bluegrass Music, dancing, singing in a traditional German choir and the theatre stage. She participated in many local events that involved Germans, Austrians and Italians.She took in exchange students and others who needed help. Johanna was generous, a great hostess and a good friend to many. When she became terminally ill with a brain tumor, she continued to participate in life without suffering any pain, until she peacefully passed away. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

There will be a celebration of Johanna's life at 5 o'clock Tuesday afternoon, October 27, 2015 in RUSSELL FUNERAL CHAPEL. Friends are invited to pay respects to her between 4 o'clock and the time of the celebration.

In Lieu of flowers Johanna would prefer a donation to any animal rescue facility.