Touring Greenwich with Bobbie Hopkins

Lively chatter fills the crisp afternoon air as the Edgehill bus prepares to depart. Friends and neighbors settle into their seats, exchanging familiar smiles and stories. There is a quiet excitement in the air. It is tour day. At the front sits 97-year-old Barbara Hopkins, known to most as Bobbie, with microphone in hand and poised to guide her fellow residents through the streets and landmarks of Greenwich, a town she knows as intimately as her own history.

A Deep Connection to Greenwich

Bobbie’s bond with Greenwich runs deep. A respected member of the Greenwich Association of Realtors since 1972, she spent more than four decades helping families find their place in this historic and picturesque community. She recalls, “I have lived here long enough to tell a lot of stories. I am not a historian, but I have learned a great deal from living a full life here.”

Building a Life in Greenwich

Bobbie’s story began in the late 1950s, when she and her late husband, Rich, moved from Chicago to Old Greenwich for Rich’s job. They were drawn by the coastal lifestyle and the strong sense of community. Rich, a champion sailor, was captain of Thursday’s Child, which he kept moored at the Riverside Yacht Club. He skippered the boat on many voyages with family and friends along the New England and mid-Atlantic coast, creating memories that would last a lifetime.

As they raised their three children in Old Greenwich and Riverside, Bobbie immersed herself fully in town life. She worked as a realtor for a local firm, enjoying the connections it brought. She was a dedicated member of the Junior League and an enthusiastic volunteer in her children’s schools, serving on PTAs and helping with community events. “Happily so!” she says. “I am someone who likes to be connected.”

Through sailing excursions, neighborhood traditions, school activities and countless community events, Bobbie and Rich built a life in Greenwich filled with family, friendships and a sense of belonging. In 2012, as empty nesters, they chose to move to Edgehill in Stamford, just minutes from downtown Greenwich.

Finding Home at Edgehill

For Bobbie, moving to Edgehill was not a farewell. It was a way for them to stay close to the community they cherished while having support available if their needs changed. She explains, “When Rich started to have health challenges, we knew we needed a place better suited to us. It was not easy to leave our home, but we wanted to remain close to the community we love. All our children agreed it was the right decision. Our roots are here in Greenwich, and Edgehill lets us stay connected to everything we care about.”

Sadly, Rich passed away in 2013, yet Bobbie’s connection to the community they shared has only grown stronger. Many of her friends were already living at Edgehill, and more have joined since. The community feels like an extension of Greenwich itself, offering waterfront beauty, historic charm, cultural attractions and shopping. For Bobbie, each day offers a familiar comfort and new experiences to enjoy.

Bobbie’s Tours: Sharing Stories and Building Connections

The bus tours transform this connection into shared moments. The route winds through neighborhoods, highlighting landmarks, schools and parks. A favorite stop is Greenwich Point Park, known locally as Tod’s Point, a 147-acre coastal park with sweeping views and historic buildings. Bobbie notes, “We discover things on these tours that even longtime residents did not know. It is such a joy to bring newcomers alongside those who have called this town home for years. We celebrate milestones, memories and the community itself.”

An Active, Full Life

When she is not leading tours, Bobbie immerses herself fully in life at Edgehill. She plays bridge, attends lectures and opera screenings and serves on the Welcoming and Activities Committees. She also continues to volunteer in town. She serves on the Board of Directors for Call-a-Ride Greenwich, a nonprofit providing free transportation for seniors, and on the board of Hill House, a congregate home in Riverside offering independent living for older adults of low to moderate income. She says, “Through the miles traveled on the bus tours and the connections we make along the way, I remain tied to the broader Greenwich community and the life I have always cherished.”

Bobbie looks forward to the holidays, adding, “I anticipate my holidays will be spent right here. My children visit, and it is such a comfort knowing I am happy, secure and thriving.”