Yoshie H. Hoppenjans

Yoshie Hayashi Hoppenjans, 96, of Columbia, Maryland, passed away peacefully on January 5, 2025, due to natural causes. 

Yoshie was born on December 8, 1928, in Yokosuka, Japan. She married her beloved husband, Lawrence Gilbert Hoppenjans, on February 5, 1953, in Yokosuka, Japan, and together they shared a life filled with love, family, and cherished memories. 

Yoshie is survived by her children: Mary Christine Emmell of Milton, Delaware; Joseph Mark Hoppenjans and his wife, Tina Hoppenjans of Laurel, Maryland; Mary Angela Britton and her husband, Deacon Cliff Britton of Maryland; Mary Cecilia Hoppenjans and her husband, Jeffrey Morris of Ellicott City, Maryland; and Joseph Paul Hoppenjans of Leesburg, Virginia. She was a proud grandmother to Christina Mazzanti (Christopher Mazzanti), Adrian Britton (Annalinda Iacoviello), Amy Weaton (Christopher Weaton), Damian Emmell, Jonathan Emmell (Caitlin Emmell), Melanie Bianco (Daniel Bianco), Derek Emmell (Kelli Emmell), Holly-Catherine Lefcourt (Noah Lefcourt), Taylor Morris (Becca Quon), Thomas Britton (Kylie Stevenson), Allison Morris DeGennaro (Andrew DeGennaro), Lucas Hoppenjans, and Kathleen Hoppenjans, and she leaves behind more than twenty great-grandchildren. 

Yoshie was predeceased by her husband, LCDR Lawrence Gilbert Hoppenjans, USN (Ret), on October 10, 1988, as well as by her in-laws, Lois Talbert (Paul) and Diane Hofmann (Edward). 

She left Japan at the age of 24, traveling on a Navy ship with her husband and other Japanese war brides to begin a new life in a new country, with new customs and language. She overcame with grace the post-war prejudices commonplace in the United States at the time, and never became embittered. As a Navy wife she joyfully raised her children in Maryland, Illinois, Virginia, Florida and South Carolina before returning to Maryland where her husband retired from the US Navy, and he began working in the defense industry. After her children were grown, Yoshie took great joy in working for the non-profit, World Villages for Children, formerly known as Asian Relief. She was a talented seamstress, making clothes for her children and grandchildren as they all grew up, later tailoring gowns for their proms and weddings. 

After her husband’s death Yoshie immersed herself back into Japanese culture through dance, food, Karaoke, Japanese doll-making and strong friendships with the members of the Riderwood Village Japanese community. Yoshie enjoyed family, gardening, cooking, dogs and birds, and guests never left her home empty-handed. 

Yoshie lived a long life filled with love of others and a special pride in her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Even at her advanced age, she continued to attract people with her ready smile, genuine warmth, and innate kindness. Her legacy is the family she leaves behind; all adore and love her without limit. She prayed constantly for the good health and well-being of everyone, and peace among people. She looked forward to a place in heaven, where she would be reunited with family and friends. 

A visitation will take place at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, 1125 St. Michaels Rd., Mt Airy, MD, on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at 10:00 AM, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM. The Mass will be celebrated by Father Timothy Daly.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be available to be viewed via internet livestream on either:

YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCOdZ3NcvZs9_fuiVl7uFzlg

or on  Facebook: www.facebook.com/stmichael1879 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Yoshie's Name to either of the links below