Baker City, Oregon
Grace Pope, 99, a long-time Halfway, Ore., resident, passed away June 2, 2006, at the home of caregivers,
Frank and Wanda Day near Clayton, Wash. She will be honored by her family and friends at a memorial service at the Presbyterian Church in Halfway, Ore., on July 22, 2006, at 2 p.m.
Grace Lillian Nelson Pope was born Sept. 21, 1906, on a Homestead in Aitkin County, Minn. to Isaac and Mary Nelson. She married Milo Pope Nov. 8, 1927, in Montesano, Wash.
During the hard times of the depression and while they were having their children they lived in Washington, Montana and then Sutherlin, Ore. During their ten years there, in addition to caring for her family, she helped to establish the Christian Church and also sang in the PTA Mother’s Singers. After moving to John Day, Ore., in 1951, she again helped to establish a Christian Church congregation and became a charter member. She was also a member of the John Day Chapter of the Rebekah Lodge.
Grace and Milo spent several years after the children were raised, living in various Eastern Oregon towns where Milo worked as a logging contractor, then finally settled in Halfway in 1964 and lived there until 1996 when they were no longer able to live at home alone.
Grace was a good friend to many people and her door was always open to anyone who wanted to stop in for a visit, a cup of coffee and a doughnut. She loved to sew, crochet, knit, tat, make quilts and most of her handmade items were given away. Grace’s motto was, “When life gives you scraps, make a quilt.”
Throughout her life she had been given many “scraps” and she truly did make of her life a beautiful, warm quilt of love that continues to wrap around her family and friends. She left the remembrance of that legacy to her posterity in the form of a quilt for each one.
After her husband died in 1997 she lived in Clayton, Wash., with her daughter, Nila Palmer or in Cove, Ore., with her daughter, Beverly Nordquist. Three years ago she moved in with Frank and Wanda Day near Clayton, Wash., who have given her the very best care possible and for which the family is deeply grateful.
She was the last living family member of her generation and was also preceded in death by her oldest son, Delford, who died at age 6; son-in-law, Darold Nordquist; and great grandson, Gordon McGinnis.
She is survived by her four children and their spouses, Beverly Nordquist, Bruce and Cathy Pope, Milo and Gayle Pope and Nila and Jim Palmer; 21 grandchildren, 75 great-grand children and 4 great-great grandchildren.
Used with permission from: The Record Courier, Baker City, Oregon, June, 2006
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor