Elizabeth Ann Pope

Elizabeth Ann (Funk) Pope, 85, passed away on October 24th at St. Peter's Hospital in Albany NY, after a long illness. Born in Hereford Township Pa, she was the daughter of the late John and Bertha (Gressley) Funk. Elizabeth graduated from East Greenville High School (Pa.) in 1950. She attended Penn State University and graduated from Cornell University School of Nursing in 1955. While at Penn State she met her husband of 47 years, Alfred Austin Pope Sr., whom she married shortly after graduation. As a member of the Army Reserves, the newlyweds were stationed in Paris, France where their first child was born. They returned to the US on the Queen Elizabeth which was a wonderful and memorable experience for them. Elizabeth found her purpose in life as a mother of four children, and as a full time homemaker and caregiver. Residing in Manassas Park, Va., she also served her community for many years as a volunteer member of the City of Manassas Park Social Services, and finally from 1980 to 1982, as the Chairman of the City of Manassas Park School Board. She was caregiver, first for her elderly father-in-law, and later for both her father-in-law and her husband. From 1998-2007, Elizabeth lived with her youngest son in Hagerstown Md. She then moved to the Good Samaritan Lutheran Health Care Center in Delmar, NY and most recently has resided at the Teresian House in Albany, NY. She received wonderful care at both facilities, touching the lives of her caregivers, staff and other residents. As the family's matriarch, she enjoyed many family events outside of the nursing home. Elizabeth had a strong Christian faith which provided the source of her wonderful spirit and ability to find humor and happiness throughout her life. She was a member of the Palm Schwenkfelder Church in Palm, Pa. and a lifetime member of The Society of the Descendants of the Schwenkfeldian Exiles. She is predeceased by her siblings Esther Funk, Mary Irene Sutcliffe, Doris Kenderdine, John Allen Funk, and infant Melvin Funk. She is survived by four children Alfred Pope Jr. (Dianne), Vicky Forando (Clifford), Lisa German (Wayne), and Jeffrey Pope; grandchildren April Taylor (Samual), Austin German (Meredith), Amy Forando, Mason Forando, Rachael Forando, and Katlyn German, great grandchildren Isaiah and Lilyann Taylor, nephews Mark and Robert Kenderdine and brother-in-law Gregory Sutcliffe. The family would like to thank her caregivers at Teresian House and Good Samaritan for the loving care they have provided, as well as their friendship, support, and competence. The family is thankful for the STAR bus service and their dedicated drivers. Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial service for Elizabeth, to be officiated by Pastor Nicholas Pence, at Palm Schwenkfelder Church in Palm, Pa. on November 10 at 11:00 am.