On Tuesday, June 25, 2019 at 2:24 a.m. Rosario Mercedes Hopta left her earthly vessel and was clothed with her heavenly dwelling, united with Jesus in the eternal heavens. Throughout her 87 years on this earth, she was a mother of four, grandmother of seven, and a great grandmother of four. Her life was not marked by wealth as defined by this world…a resume filled with accomplishments that have no eternal impact, but rather a faith-filled life that was marked by a generosity of spirit that inspired each of us to love Jesus and care for others.

She epitomized the description of a Worthy Woman (Proverbs 31:10-31). She was a good wife who did her husband well all the days of her life. The work of her hands were her delight, from choosing fabric to sew her children clothing, to macraméing plant hangers and lamps that decorated our home, baking cookies and Grandma Hopta’s famous horns, creating arts and crafts projects from items found in our backyard (long before there was a Michael's or JoAnn Fabrics), to tending her garden which she adored. She had an innate ability to make things blossom, from physical beings to her plants and flowers that she lovingly nurtured. She always rose early, making the most of her days, and was known for stretching out her hand to those in need.

As we memorialize her inner beauty, we know that the day of her death is better than the day of her birth (Ecclesiastes 7:1-3), for eternal glory was awaiting her. So it is better that we go into this time of mourning, because that is the end of every man. But we among the living take heart, for while our face is sad our heart may be happy for one day we will be reunited again.