Much loved and respected, Agnes died at John Whittle House at the Orana Gardens aged care complex on Saturday. She was 91 and had shared 69 years with her beloved husband Kevin.

Agnes Hopkins raised nine children, breastfeeding all of them.

She washed the nappies by hand and scrubbed the floors on her knees but still found time to be involved in the community.

There was no vehicle until the seventh child was born, so Agnes had to push prams. The roads were not tarred in those days and when it rained there was the mud to contend with as well.

Agnes was a stalwart of the St Vincent de Paul Society, supported Meals on Wheels, was the Land Cookery representative for the Country Women’s Association and made an estimated 26,000 cupcakes for the Dubbo RSL Day Club.

“Agnes was a remarkable woman who was never one to sit about,’’ husband Kevin said.

“She would get up early every Thursday to cook those cupcakes. She loved her garden, knitted countless jumpers for grandchildren and was always ready to assist anyone who needed a helping hand.’’

Born Agnes Copland in the Scottish village of Findochty, Agnes came to Australia with her family at age five.

Her father was a fettler on the railway and the family lived at Cowra and Nevertire before moving to Dubbo to open a store in Carrington Avenue.

Agnes worked in the store and also spent time as a telephonist with the Dubbo telephone exchange.

In 1939 she spied Kevin Hopkins across the dance floor at Rawsonville Hall.

He was in the militia at the time, World War II was imminent.

“We were young and in love and wanted to marry before I was sent away with the army,’’ Kevin said.

“A wedding was quickly organised and a few friends and relatives assembled at St Brigid’s Catholic Church to witness the event on May 22, 1941.

“Following the wedding we travelled by taxi to a Wellington hotel and next morning caught the train to Kiama and Newcastle.

“My brothers had filled our luggage with rice husks that got into every part of our clothing and shoes. We ended up shedding puffs of husks everywhere we went.

“After a few days together Agnes went back to Dubbo and I headed to the army camp at Sydney showground. Men were being assigned to various destinations but amazingly I was sent to the army training camp at Dubbo.

“Agnes and I were delighted and I became the envy of my mates by sneaking home every night and getting up early the next morning to peddle my bike back into camp for parade at 6am.’’

Kevin and Agnes regarded a large family as a blessing and despite being busy with their own brood they found plenty of time to help others.

They were dedicated supporters of the St Vincent de Paul Society and became the longest serving Dubbo conference members, clocking up a combined 90 years service with the charity.

Agnes worked at the Vinnies opportunity shop for 24 years and throughout her marriage consistently supported her husband’s charity work with St Vincent de Paul and Legacy.

Agnes was devoted to all her children: Robert, David, Barbara, John, Hugh, Bernard (deceased), Marie, Margaret and Stephen, 16 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.