Gladys Edythe Pope's Obituary
Gladys Edythe Pope (Bukowski) was born in Cleveland, Ohio on August 30, 1934 to William and Clara Bukowski. She passed on February 27, 2023 of natural causes. Gladys attended Ohio University where she received her elementary education degree and met her future husband Dexter Clauton Pope during their sophomore year. They graduated Ohio University in 1956 and married on August 11, 1957 in Ashtabula, Ohio. Gladys was a loyal and loving wife to Dexter until his death in 2017. After living and teaching in Anchorage, Alaska while Dexter served in the Army, they lived in Illinois and Ohio before settling in western Michigan in 1968. Gladys was a devoted mother who shared her talents as a seamstress, artist, pianist, and singer with her daughters Stephanie (Phil) Mayrose, Jennifer (Laird) Wynn, and Becky Pope-Smith (Ryan). She is remembered by her children as a giving soul who spent their childhood as a creative room parent, reading tutor, and Girl Scout leader while serving as the primary caregiver for her mother. Gladys’s wit entertained the staff of the assisted living center where she resided for nine years after a series of strokes. She was a role model for unconditional love and kindness to her six grandchildren Jaclyn, Joseph, Eva, Jack, Jesse and Jake. Gladys was preceded in death by her sister Rubina and brothers William Blake and Norman Brooks. The family requests that donations in lieu of flowers be sent to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Autism Speaks or the Humane Society. A graveside service will be held for the family. Arrangements entrusted to The VanZantwick Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation services, 620 Washington Ave., Grand Haven, MI 49417. Share memories with the family at their online guest book at www.sytsemafh.com.
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