Judith Hopkins, age 80, passed away Friday, August 8, 2014, after a year-long battle against lymphoma. She was born in Wilkes-Barre, PA to Charles Hopkins and Anna Pripstein Hopkins. She received a BA from Wiles College and a Master of Library Science from the University of Illinois. Her love of reading from an early age led her to a distinguished career as a librarian, specializing in the area of cataloging at major colleges and universities, including Mt. Holyoke, Yale, University of Michigan, and 27 years at the University at Buffalo.  She retired in October 2004 and moved to the Atlanta area where her sister and brother-in-law, Frances and George Jordan, lived.

 

Judith co-authored several books on cataloging, had an extensive career as an educator of catalogers, and received numerous awards in recognition of her commitment and service to the field of cataloging. She was most well-known and universally praised for her role as list owner of AUTOCAT, the world-wide library cataloging and authorities discussion group.  She was the recipient of the prestigious Margaret Mann Citation in recognition of the contributions to the practice of cataloging, in particular her early involvement in OCLC which helped move bibliographic information into the computer age.

 

In addition to her sister and brother-in-law, Judith is survived by her brother Edward Hopkins (Carol) of Rockville, MD, and nephews Ralph Jordan (Natalie), Howard Jordan (Mary), Dr. Jeff Hopkins (Cindy), and niece Laura Hopkins Young (Jeff) of Pittsburgh. She will be especially missed by her good friend Joy Weinstein.

 

Memorial donations may be made to the cancer charity of your choice.

 

Expressions of sympathy may be made to the family c/of Frances Jordan, 6218 Meadow Run Ct., Norcross, GA 30092.

 

The family will receive friends for a fond farewell to Judith at the home of Fran and George Jordan on Saturday, August 16 from 2-4 pm.

 

 

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Judith was a delightful colleague and mentor and most of all a true friend.  I intend to send her family any emails I receive with remembrances of Judith. I’m sure they will be deeply touched even though they did understand she had a broad impact on the profession and with her fellow mystery lovers.

 

Susan

 

 

Susan Davis

Acquisitions Librarian for Continuing Resources

University at Buffalo (SUNY)

134 Lockwood Library

Buffalo, NY 14260-2210

716-645-2784

716-645-5955 fax

unlsdb@buffalo.edu

http://libweb.lib.buffalo.edu/staff/index.asp?ID=124