MargaretheWolff Sergeant,“Greta”
SCOTTSDALE – Margarethe Wolff Sergeant, “Greta”, 87, died April 4, 2021 in Scottsdale, AZ. Greta was born November 3, 1933 to Gerhardt and Virginia (Walker) Wolff and grew up in Westfield, New Jersey. As a child, Greta was a gifted artist and pianist, but it was her love of singing and musical theater that would shape and define her lifelong career. Greta attended Syracuse University for a short time, leaving early as she yearned to perform on stage. From car and skating shows to operetta off Broadway, she studied under the renowned vocal coach Estelle Liebling, starred in countless musicals, and performed with the Metropolitan Opera House. One of the many highlights of her career was touring with Harry Belafonte in “Sing, Man Sing.”
Greta was predeceased by her first husband Anthony Pemberton Hopkins, married in 1960 until his death in 1994. They lived in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, PA before moving to West Hartford CT. Greta was a soprano soloist with the Asylum Hill Congregational Church choir in Hartford for over 40 years while managing the Hartt School of Music bookstore. She cherished her connections and friendships with musicians young and old.
Greta married Frederick Sergeant in 1998 and together they moved to Scottsdale, AZ in 2017. It was here they found their dream home in the desert, in view of Camelback Mountain and set about enjoying their retired life with great food, drink, and the best of sunsets.
In addition to Fred, Greta is survived by her son, Philip Hopkins and daughter-in-law Betsy Hopkins of West Hartford, daughter Virginia Hopkins and son-in-law Matthew Cullina of Providence, RI, step-son Christian Sergeant of Scottsdale, AZ, step-daughter Colleen Miller of Bristol, CT, cherished caregiver and companion Denise Lopez, and much beloved grand-children Elise Hopkins Gallegos and her husband Connor Gallegos, Abby Hopkins, Ciara Cullina, Alexis Cullina, Emilia Cullina, Connor Sergeant, Michael Miller and Zoe Sergeant.
Greta loved music, theater, a good joke and an icy cold beer. Her laughter, love and music touched many, and will live on in all of our hearts and we will forever hear her beautiful voice.
Memorial service to be held Saturday May 8th at 3:00pm EST in the Sanctuary at Asylum Hill Congregational Church, 814 Asylum Ave, Hartford, CT 06105. Attendees may participate in person or via livestream at www. ahcc.org.
If desired, a donation can be made in Greta’s honor to Asylum Hill Congregational Church, ahcc.org or to Adoption Rhode Island, adoptionri.org