On Sunday January 29th 2023 at the age of 83, Maria Christina “Christy” Hopkins, peacefully left this earth to enter the gates of heaven with her loving son and husband by her side. She was born July 19th 1939 in Retalhlea, Guatemala to Manuel and Natalie Letona. After growing up in Guatemala she ventured to the United States in the mid 1950s alone to start a new life and to seek new opportunities in life. She came to this country without knowing the English language. With a work opportunity she moved to Boston, Massachusetts to start her new life. After a few years she started to help bring her mother, brother, sisters, plus other family members to the United States. Boston is where she met her first husband, Socrates Antonio Farias; they were married in 1972. Together she had her first son, Socrates Antonio “Tony” Farias in 1977. She also lived in Los Angeles, Arizona, and ended up living most of her life in Salt Lake City, Utah.

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Christy was a lifelong learner, she was well educated from a young age from elementary to college education in Guatemala. She then continued her education in the United States. She learned English while in Boston and continued her education in Utah. Her college studies consisted of studying Education. She was passionate about teaching. She was a teacher of ESL (English as Second Language) for many years; she taught children and adults at the local college in Arizona. She was always learning to improve her life and those around her. She also had stints of working for the government in Guatemala and in the United States.

Christy later remarried a loving man she met in Utah, Floyd Joseph Hopkins. They were married January 20th 1990. This year, 2023, they celebrated 33 years of marriage. They lived in Arizona for 15 years before moving back to Utah to be with their son plus be closer to family. They enjoyed road trips to Mexico, the Oregon coast, Idaho, and always enjoyed stopping in at small casinos to “play a little bit”. You could always find them together enjoying life and each other.

Christy loved flowers, the color pink, seafood and Chinese food, family time especially Christmas with her family, her mother Natalie was a major influence and motivation in her life, walking by the Colorado River with her husband, writing letters to her family, her culture, her values, cooking for her family, her motherland Guatemala, and was proud to be able to speak two languages. Christy loved spending time with her grandchildren but most of all spending time with her only son Tony. She was an amazing mother.

She is survived by her husband Floyd Hopkins, son Tony Farias, daughter in law, Cyndi, sisters Lilly and Elena Letona, brother Roberto Letona, Anthony Farias, Nicolas Farias, Socrates Farias, Isaiah and Breylyn, many nieces and nephews, and other family members still living in Guatemala.

She is preceded in death by her parents Manel Letona and Natalie Rodas, brothers Luis Letona and Ramone Letona, sisters Maria Zenida Letona and Maria Coralia Letona.

Funeral service will be held on Friday February 10th 2023. Viewing and church service to be held at Saint Josephs the Worker Catholic Church, 7405 S Redwood Rd, starting at 9:45 am to 11:00 am for the viewing. Mass will start at 11am to Noon at the Church. Interment Redwood Memorial, 6500 S Redwood Rd, following the church service.

Christy was a true pioneer and leader for her family. She will be missed but never forgotten.