MaddyChristine Hope Brokopp
AUGUST 14, 1973 — SEPTEMBER 28, 2026
Beloved wife, mother, daughter, friend, neighbor, and spiritual director MaddyChristine Hope Brokopp has completed her pilgrimage on earth. She was 53 years old. She is now at home in the presence of Jesus, through whom she found belonging and warm acceptance.
MaddyChristine deeply enjoyed and valued time in nature, extended time in silence, and walking, especially on pilgrimages in Portugal and Spain. Through this trinity of passions, she found the unconditional love her heart longed for, and from that place of security in her belovedness, she lived with courage, hope, and vitality. She walked her final 'pilgrimage' — her journey with cancer — with poise and dignity.
MaddyChristine brought her husband Tim much goodness. She offered keen observations and wise counsel in difficult situations. When the way forward was clouded, Maddy could see through to the truth of things, and she never shied away from the courage it took to follow it. She held Tim accountable with a love that was both honest and tender. For Tim, she was a steady rock and a true north star, always pointing him home. For Maddy, Tim's faith and loving care were her anchor.
As a mother, MaddyChristine moved mountains to reunite siblings Oliver, Isaac, and Julia, restoring their hope that they could belong to a family. She loved her chosen children with utter faithfulness, drawing from her unshakable compassion for all who had experienced loss and trauma. Maddy instilled in her children an understanding that love is not a reward for good behavior but an unconditional gift that they could not exhaust. She taught them what it feels like to be loved.
Maddy delighted her mother Marijke with her curiosity, determination, and energy as a child. Maddy's report cards always came home with comments saying that she was sweet and caring with others. Maddy made her chosen father, Gérard, feel welcome, important, and part of the family. They had fun observing Dutch traditions together, and their deeper interactions included Maddy gently prompting Gérard toward the best of himself. Many others can say the same.
MaddyChristine's creativity, warmth, and generosity infused her friendships and neighborhood connections. She loved creating beautiful spaces for others to enjoy. She freely offered her wide smile and open arms to those she loved, radiating gladness to be with them. She shared freely from the treasures of Dutch culture (stroopwafels, holiday customs, Fiep Westendorp shopping bags, and old tea tins). The children of her neighborhood found bubble wands and sidewalk chalk as well as books waiting for them in the Little Free Library in her front yard. Maddy also regularly surprised them with popsicles or other treats for special occasions like the first day of school or someone's birthday. And neighbors of all ages were welcome at the picnic table where Maddy loved to hang out and visit.
As a spiritual director in the last years of her professional life, MaddyChristine provided quiet space where those she accompanied could talk or not talk, wrestle, rest, be listened to deeply, and listen to themselves and to God. She offered judgment-free presence and loving guidance through spiritual direction, retreats, pilgrimages, the Ignatian exercises, and The Intimacy Project. Her creative gifts shone as she designed retreats and pilgrimages, made finger labyrinths, wrote newsletters, and shared her gorgeous photos and helpful reflection questions on Instagram. It was her heart's desire to help people be brave in living with questions, versus working to find answers right away, and she modeled this beautifully in her own life. She entered the deep pain of others fearlessly, holding it with them and inviting them to allow God to meet them there and to experience Love's powerful embrace.
MaddyChristine will be remembered for her dedication to "trying to see well" in all circumstances, noticing God's graces even amidst pain. In her beautiful words: "Seeing that raindrop hanging from a branch. Hearing that bird sing. Tasting the sweetness of that strawberry and feeling that soft blanket around me. . . . I am not avoiding [the pain and heartache of my life]; I am 'seeing' things that get me through. The trees crying with me as they hold those raindrop tears. The bird's song cheering me on. The sweetness of fruit reminding me of how sweet my children and I can sometimes be together. The blanket wrapping me and us in love."
MaddyChristine's energetic approach to life from childhood on; her love of beauty and celebration (with dancing when possible!) and her extraordinary capacity to create both; her great dedication to healing and growth; her thoughtful and joyful generosity; and her secure attachment to The One Who Is Love have enriched us all immeasurably. We already miss her light and love. We will honor her by savoring beauty, remembering to celebrate the little things, choosing healing and growth and generosity, and trusting the One she trusted to hold her in both life and death.
A private burial service will take place at Old Kennett Meetinghouse Cemetery in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania on September 29, 2026.
Benedictus
In your leaving we say peace.
With the last light of you dying we say peace.
And where there is no peace we say peace
in the hope it will rest in our bones.
In your going we say joy.
With the last breath of you leaving we say joy.
And where there is no joy we say joy
in the hope it will dwell in our flesh.
In your departing we say love.
With the earth taking you in we say love.
And where there is no love we say love
in the hope it will come to our souls.
— Jan Richardson