ALBANY – Nancy M. Hopfenspirger entered eternal life on Monday, February 17, 2014, surrounded by loved ones, after a full life of service to God, country and family. Nancy joined the US Army 63 years ago at age 25 and embarked on a military career that has been marked by a number of “firsts”. As the first woman Provost Marshall in the United States Army, the first woman commander of a male overseas base and one of six women in the first graduating class to include women at the Command and General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, Nancy has led the way for many to follow. Through her career in serving as a Congressional Liaison Officer and Assistant Chief of Staff at the Pentagon, Nancy was motivated by the desire for personal success and for the opportunity to assist others. Upon her 45th anniversary from Russell Sage College, her alma mater honored her significant achievements of her life by bestowing upon her the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Public Service on May 2, 1993.
Nancy was the daughter of the late Joseph and Lillian Hopfenspirger. She is survived by her brother, Joseph and his wife Jeanne; and by 8 nieces and nephews and their families.
The family would like to express gratitude to Dr. Mary Rapazzo, the Hospice team, and the special care givers for their devoted care and love for Nancy.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the Infant of Prague Chapel at the Teresian House, 200 Washington Ave. Ext. on Saturday morning at 11:00. Relatives and friends are invited. There will be no calling hours. Interment will be in the North Chatham, NY cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Community Hospice 295 Valley View Blvd., Rensselaer, NY 12144, or to the Precious Blood Leper Settlement, Tanzania East Africa c/o Fr. Rebeyro, 4 Proctor Court, Loudonville, NY 12211. To leave a message of condolence for the family or send a sympathy card, please visit HansFuneralHome.com.
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The Munro Family
February 23, 2014 at 10:11 pmDear Hopfenspirger Family,
My prayers and thoughts are toward those who have died and for those who suffer the loss of a loved one. Your sister and aunt must have had a deep desire to see Isaiah 2:4 realized, the day that peace resides earth wide. I pray the tender mercy that God has always shown be with you now. May the prayers of others help in some small way to bring you strength, comfort and courage each day! Revelation 21:3-5 mentions a time when God will wipe all our tears away, death, sorrow and pain will be no more. May these thoughts from the scriptures bring you comfort and hope during this sad time!
With heartfelt condolences,
The Munro Family
MIchael Harmer
August 9, 2014 at 3:56 pmThough our thoughts are belated, we just read this today. Our thoughts are with the family. Joseph R. Hopfenspirger was a brother to my step-grandfather Charles Michael Hopfenspirger.