Noreen Ruth (Hopwood) Harrington

Noreen "Bumpsie" Ruth (Hopwood) Harrington, age 85, of San Diego, passed away at home on April 12, 2022. She was born March 3, 1937, in Bridgeport, CT; the daughter of the late Curtis and Mabel (Risberg) Hopwood. She grew up on Milford Point and always had a special connection with the water. As a teen, she became the first female ocean lifeguard from Milford and taught swimming. She enjoyed synchronized swimming and performed with the Stratford Aqua Maids and others. During the summers, she was a Sea Mariner, sailing yachts and schooners and was promoted to the rank of 2nd mate in her troop.

Other areas of interest included Girl Scouts, where she received the Curved Bar Award, their highest recognition, Drama and Acapella clubs, basketball and badminton. In high school, she was the State Singles Badminton Champion. Noreen graduated from Milford High School in 1956 and received her Bachelors in Elementary Education from Southern Connecticut State College.

In 1989, Noreen relocated to a golfing community in Florida with her 2nd husband, Daniel Harrington. Sadly, Daniel passed unexpectedly in 1995. Noreen worked as a Recreation Specialist for Hanley Hazelden in West Palm Beach. She also worked as an Aquatics Instructor, Lifeguard, a licensed Massage Therapist and substitute elementary school teacher.

Once retired, Noreen moved to San Diego to be with her daughter. Together, they traveled the “world”. Noreen’s favorite places to visit revolved around her love for water, from the Galapagos Islands to the Caribbean Sea, through the Panama Canal to Tahiti. Noreen said frequently, she was on an “endless vacation” living in San Diego.

Noreen is survived by her children, Curtis Willard of Bristol, Loraine (Lori) Willard and her wife Mary McCarthy of San Diego and James and his wife Jocelyn Willard of Meriden; grandchildren Curtis Willard Jr., James Willard Jr. and Jillian Tyrrell and Jaclyn Willard-Segarra; great-grandchildren Mason Segarra, Greyson and Sebastian Willard. She is also survived by her brothers, Jon Hopwood of Milford and Peter Hopwood of Whitingham, VT, along with many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. 

Family and friends may call on Wednesday, April 27th from 11am to 1pm at Gregory F. Doyle Funeral Home in Milford. Interment will be private at Union Cemetery in Stratford. A Celebration of Life will be held in San Diego. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Alzheimer’s San Diego or the San Diego Humane Society.

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