Caroline Hopkins Shauger

Caroline Hopkins Shauger, age 60, tragically passed away on Wednesday morning, May 25, 2016 while riding her bicycle. 

Born in Delaware County, PA on March 8, 1956, she was the daughter of the late Dr. John E. Hopkins, and is survived by her mother, Mary Bazemore Hopkins. She was raised in Penn Valley, PA.

Caroline was a graduate of The Shipley School, Bryn Mawr, PA, Connecticut College, New London, CT, and Cabrini College, Radnor, PA where she received her Master of Education. Adored by children, Caroline taught pre-school for a decade, followed by ten years teaching first and second grades at Valley Forge Elementary School in Tredyffrin/Easttown School District.

In 2008, she and her husband, Donald Shauger, retired to a beautiful country home in Orangeville, PA, where Caroline’s love of gardening and nature could flourish. She stayed active as a substitute teacher in the Benton School District. She immersed herself in the community, making friends who shared common interests in perennial gardening, bicycling, miniatures, book-club, and fitness. Her volunteer activities included Meals on Wheels, Habitat for Humanity, and the Columbia County Covered Bridge Association, among others. 

During her entire life she delighted in anything out-of-doors and marveled at the majestic beauty of nature. In particular she loved the sound of the ocean, collecting sea glass, and visiting with neighbors at her summer retreat on Baker’s Island, MA. She could often be found digging in her garden and she enjoyed relaxing on her front porch or by a campfire on Huntington Creek. Caroline loved to travel and visit with friends all over the country, exploring new towns, restaurants, parks, gardens, and bike routes.

In addition to her husband of 34 years, Caroline leaves behind two children: Christopher Shauger (30) of Salt Lake City, UT, and Allison Shauger (33) and her husband John Eshleman of Raleigh, NC. She is survived by her sister Elizabeth Blackstone, San Anselmo, CA, and her brother John E. Hopkins, Jr. and his wife Todd, of Orangeville, PA. In addition, she will be missed by many nieces and nephews, a wide extended family, and countless life-long friends.

A memorial service will be held at 1pm on Sunday, May 29, 2016 at St. Matthew Lutheran Church 123 Market St, Bloomsburg, PA with Rev. Dr. Joel L. Zeiders officiating.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in memory of Caroline to one of the following organizations:

AGAPE: AGAPE is a non-denominational social service non-profit organization serving Columbia and Montour counties. agapelovefromabove.org

N4Cs: Northern Columbia County Community Center is dedicated to developing everyone's potential and enhancing the quality of life in Benton and surrounding communities.  n4cs.org

Columbia County Covered Bridge Association: a non-profit comprised of volunteers with one goal in mind: to restore, preserve, and protect the covered bridges of Columbia County. facebook.com/ColumbiaCountyCoveredBridgeAssoc.