Thelma Cartwright-Hopwood

Leaves behind son Peter Hopwood (Kitimat, BC), daughter Catherine Hopwood (Ottawa), son-in-law Thomas Balint (Ottawa), sister Pauline (Newcastle-on-Tyne), and many nieces and nephews and extended family in the U.K. and Ottawa. Pre-deceased by husband Peter Hopwood, son James (Jim) Hopwood, and three sisters (Joan, Patricia, Elaine).

Born in Byker, Newcastle-on-Tyne in 1933, Thelma moved to Ottawa in 1957 with her Canadian husband and their first child. She began her career in the 1960s as a freelance broadcaster and journalist. In the 1970s and 1980s, Thelma expanded her career into editing and publishing, including becoming editorial director at Deneau & Greenberg, teaching a course in Editing and Design at Carleton University, and working at CMHC. During the 1990s, she was the proprietor of the Book Bank at Rideauview Mall in Ottawa. 

After she retired, Thelma volunteered at the Glebe Centre and The Good Companions. Thelma never forgot her working-class Geordie roots, and crossed the Atlantic Ocean by ship many times (Thelma didn’t fly) to visit family and friends in the United Kingdom. 

Articulate, forthright, and a voracious reader, Thelma was never dull in conversation. 

Special thanks to all the staff at the Civic Emergency Ward, the Ottawa General Hospital 6 West and East, and the Shenkman Palliative Care unit at Bruyere-St. Vincent Hospital. 

At Thelma’s request, there will be no service. Donations to the charity of your choice, in Thelma’s memory, are appreciated.