Dolores Marie "Dodie" Pope

Dolores (“Dodie”) Marie Pope, 91, passed away peacefully from natural causes in Gaithersburg, MD on May 28, 2022. Born March 20, 1931, she was a 1949 graduate of Ursuline High School (Cumberland, MD). She went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Frostburg State Teachers College, and later a Masters in Reading Education from Western Maryland College (now McDaniel College). She worked for over three years as a first-grade teacher, and then another 19 years as a reading teacher within Montgomery County Public Schools before retiring in 1991.

In 1952, she met the love of her life, James Pope, and the couple married in 1956. Married for nearly 66 years, Dodie is survived by her beloved husband, Jim. She leaves behind their daughters, Catherine Pope of Gaithersburg, MD, and Michelle Kretchmer (Gary) of Evanston, IL, and three granddaughters, Heather Dressman, and Jackie and Hayley Kretchmer. She is also survived by several brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, and a host of friends, young and old. She was preceded in death by her sisters, Florence Ruppert (Robert) of Glen Burnie, MD, and Anna Margaret Connelley (Thomas) of Cumberland, MD.

Dodie loved nothing more than doting on children. This was especially evident in her early career as a first-grade teacher, but emphasized even more so with her own children and grandchildren, as well as those of friends and family. In her later years, she spent most of her time in the kitchen and helping with the daily care of her granddaughter, Heather. When she wasn’t cooking, watching college basketball and football games, or helping Heather, she was planning the next meal to feed her hungry crew, clipping a helpful or interesting newspaper article to mail to a friend or family member, phoning a longtime college friend/former co-worker/neighbor/relative, supporting her favorite causes, penning a note of congratulations or encouragement, surprising her grandchildren with a little pin money for a treat, or sending a baby gift to welcome the newest little bundle in someone’s family. In other words, she was always thinking of others.

Visitation will be held at DeVol Funeral Home in Gaithersburg, MD on Thursday, June 2 from 2-4 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St. Martin of Tours in Gaithersburg, MD on Friday, June 3 at 10:30 a.m. with the funeral livestreamed on St. Martin’s YouTube channel. Interment follows immediately at All Souls Cemetery in Germantown, MD. In lieu of flowers, friends may make memorial contributions to: Children’s Inn at NIH at 7 West Drive, Bethesda, MD 20814-1509 or https://give.childrensinn.org.