Benell Elizabeth Tope

October 6, 1955 – December 29, 2024 El Paso, Texas

In loving memory of Benell Tope, who lived a life full of friends, laughter, and love for her grandbabies, passed peacefully in her sleep on December 29, 2024.

Born in Palo Alto, California, her family later moved to El Paso Texas where she was a proud graduate of Eastwood High School c/o 1973. She was widely known for her sharp wit, vibrant personality, and infectious laughter. After graduation, she established herself as a prominent medical transcriptionist which allowed her to work from home and care for her growing family. Throughout her career, her skills were recognized by her cohorts and employers where she was recruited to train up-and-coming transcriptionists.

Career advancements and family needs allowed her to move and make lifelong friends in New Orleans, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio before returning to El Paso. She will be missed by all who loved her.

She is preceded in death by her fathers, James Preston Wolfe and Peter James Canavan, mother, Joyce Marlene Canavan (Ashley), sister, Terry DeGraffenreid (Canavan), and granddaughter, Reece Emily Richeson. She is survived by her brothers and sisters - Cathy (Reed) Leverton, Joyce Hood, Donna (David) Canavan-Conklin, Michael (Roxy) Wolfe, Tara Condon (Wolfe), and Russell Wolfe; as well as her children – Joyce (Devin) Lewis, Cathryn (David) Thomas, Aarron (Katie) Klundt, Pete (Alejandra) Klundt, Joseph (Apryl) Richeson, and Bethany (Jonathan) Davis, 18 grandbabies and 1 great-grandson.

Family, friends, and others whose lives Benell touched are invited to a Celebration of Life at HILLCREST WEST FUNERAL HOME, 5054 Doniphan Dr., El Paso, Texas, from 1 p.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday, February 15, 2025. We welcome you to reminisce, grieve, support each other and, of course, just chat.