Born on July 4, 1934, in San Jose, California, to Carlton and Alice Swanson, Grace lived a life filled with adventure, family, and service to others. A graduate of Fresno High School (Class of 1952) and Fresno State College (Class of 1956), she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Business. Throughout her life, Grace was active in Girl Scouts, Job’s Daughters, and LARC, now known as ARC, an organization devoted to supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She was a proud lifelong member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. She was also a Cub Scout den mother, a devoted bridge player in several clubs, and for many years, she worked part-time alongside Bud at Pope Tire Company.
Grace’s adventurous spirit shone brightly on the ski slopes of Badger Pass, where she met the love of her life, George “Buddy” Pope. The two married in the spring of 1956, beginning their marriage with a ski honeymoon in Sun Valley, Idaho—a passion they carried together throughout their lives. They built a family rooted in joy, laughter, and time outdoors, raising their son Greg and daughter Sue to share their love of skiing and adventure.
When not on the slopes, Grace could often be found at the family cabin in Shaver Lake, where she delighted in entertaining family and friends, playing cards on the deck and swimming, boating, and water skiing long stretches of the lake.
Grace was also deeply involved in her community. She was a lifetime member of the Horseless Carriage Club of America and the Model T Ford Club of America, a member of the Fresno City and County Historical Society, and a supporter of the Central California SPCA.
Grace is survived by her son Gregory George Pope and his wife Linda, and their children Zachery Pope and Sarah Adams (husband Colten); her daughter Susan LaVerne O’Sullivan and her husband Rob, and their children Kelly Cueto (husband Michael) and Erik O’Sullivan (wife Savana); and her great-grandson, Kayce Cueto. She was preceded in death by her cherished husband, Bud.
A celebration of Grace’s life will be held at the family home on September 22, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. In her memory, friends and loved ones are encouraged to honor her spirit by playing a hand of bridge or skiing a run this winter in her name.
The family requests that remembrances in Grace's honor be made to the Central California SPCA, located at 103 S. Hughes Avenue, Fresno, CA 93706, or by following the website listed below the obituary.
