Nancy L Pope
October 07, 1959 - February 03, 2017
Obituary
STOUGHTON/LAKE MILLS – Nancy L. Pope, age 57, passed away suddenly, surrounded by family on Friday, Feb. 3, 2017. She was born on Oct. 7, 1959, and raised in Lake Mills. Nancy graduated from Lake Mills High School in 1978 and UW-Whitewater in 1982, with a degree in Education. She moved to Stoughton 12 years ago to be closer to her family. Nancy was a born teacher. Her beloved mother was also a teacher (they were in college together!) and she was destined to be in a classroom. Nancy loved every student she ever had and was a passionate teacher. Even after 30 years, she was still learning about teaching and sought new things to bring to her students and coworkers, continuing to study, read and take classes. Nancy touched many students' and fellow teachers' lives with her example as a generous, thoughtful and doting teacher. She loved watching the Packers (especially Brett Favre), taking road trips with her friends and spoiling her kitties. Nancy loved shopping, going to the movies, reading and all things pop culture. She was a selfless and amazing friend and was especially loving to her friends' children.
Nancy's greatest pleasure and pride in life was her involvement in her nieces' and nephews' lives. She was the most special and loving aunt. Words cannot describe the deep and incredible impact she had on the lives of Grant, Connor, Trevor and Julia. Nancy spoiled them with her love, time and attention and was truly a second mother to them all. They were her world.
She is survived by her brothers, Robert (Theresa) Pope of Foster City, Cal. and Jim (Lynne) Pope of Stoughton; nieces and nephews, Grant and Connor Pope of Stoughton, Trevor and Julia Pope of Stoughton, Bob of Madison, Felicia of Milwaukee and Jack Pope of Foster City; and special uncle, Roy "Butch" (Marjorie) Johnson. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jack and Marion Pope; and two brothers, John and Richard Pope. A celebration of Nancy's life will be held at GUNDERSON STOUGHTON FUNERAL & CREMATION CARE, 1358 Hwy. 51N, Stoughton, at noon on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017 with Pastor Graham Blaikie presiding. Refreshments will be provided after the service. A visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday.
Nancy was a grateful recipient of an organ transplant nine years ago that changed her life. On behalf of her, please consider reviewing your wishes and become an organ donor.
Events
Visitation
Sat Feb 11, 2017 @ 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM CDT
Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care - Stoughton • 1358 Hwy 51, P.O. Box 96, Stoughton, WI 53589
Celebration of Life
Sat Feb 11, 2017 @ 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM CDT
Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care - Stoughton • 1358 Hwy 51, P.O. Box 96, Stoughton, WI 53589
Photos
No photos of Nancy have been shared yet.
Memories
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Patricia Hutson
Other •
I knew Nancy thru West elementary School. I was a volunteer in the classroom next to hers. She always had a big smile and always said hi. She will be so missed by everyone at the school! Pat Hutson
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Cheri Neupert
Other •
Nancy had a special gift of making every person she was with feel like he or she was her center of attention at that given moment. Spending time with Nancy brought pure joy to my life and I always left feeling that I was a better person just being around her. When I think of Nancy, I think of genuine kindness and purity of spirit. She truly and deeply loved her nieces and nephews and she was so proud of them. My hope is that they all keep and remember Nancy's love for them and know that she will always be with them throughout their lives. I am so blessed to have all of my forever memories of Nancy.
Cheri Neupert
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Theresa Pope
Other •
Jack still recalls the time his Aunt Nancy made him a "badge of courage." He had fallen off a golf cart and while he hadn't sustained any real injuries, he was pretty shaken. He attempted to dust himself off and act as though this was an everyday occurrence in a life of a six-year old. Nancy went inside the house and within minutes appeared with a lovely crafted badge, which she presented to Jack for his bravery. That lovely gesture has stayed with us over the years and brings us comfort with her passing.
Theresa Pope
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Lynnell Austin
Other •
Nancy was a high school classmate of mine. I was so sorry to hear of her unexpected death. I saw Nancy a couple of years ago and got to catch up on life with her a little bit. What an amazing woman. My thoughts and prayers to her family and friends. May you find comfort and peace through her loving memories.
ME
Mary Emerick
Other •
Where do I begin to talk about Nancy. We not only taught together but she also had my anxious, shy 5 year old in her Kindergarten class. Dani couldn't think of coming to school with out her Bitty Baby named Amanda. Nancy was fine with this arrangement and welcomed the new "student" to her room. Nancy had a way of setting up rules and expectations for Amanda in the classroom so that the doll did not become a distraction.And she frequently took pictures of Dani and Amanda to share with me. Nancy helped Dani get over the bumps in her socks or other emergencies that happens frequently with anxious children. Nancy calmed my nerves when I would worry about my daughter and her anxiety issues and how to cope with them. One of my favorite pictures Nancy shared with me was a picture of Dani and Amanda in their matching mortarboard graduation hats for kindergarten graduation. It sure will be lonely at West Elementary when I come in on the weekends to work and not find my other partner in crime in her room trying to stay caught up with all the work. Nancy, you will be missed more ways than even a second grade teacher can count.
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Mary Lea
Other •
I met Nancy many years ago when she was teaching high school in Johnson Creek, and I was a very "green" substitute. She always had a kind word for me, and it was evident that she represented what teaching was all about. Imagine my surprise when the very next fall found us both with teaching positions in Jefferson! The years seemed to fly by, with teaching approaches coming into favor and going out just as quickly. Nancy considered all of them, but held fast to her philosophy of always doing what was best for kids, and tailored things accordingly. For her, this was the bottom line, and years of students are all the richer for having been in her classroom. Taken too soon, it will be hard to imagine West Elementary without her.