Mary Alice Waite Pope

Mary Alice Waite Pope died on Saturday (12/14/24) at Hamot Hospital in Erie, PA. Mary was born in Peterson, Iowa, on May 6, 1928, to Allen Adin Waite and Elizabeth (Lizzie) Katherine Waite (Unger). 

Upon moving to Erie, Pa, Mary worked as a telephone operator for the General Telephone Company of Pennsylvania. Later she worked for the Greater Erie Community Action Committee (GECAC) as both a Head Start Teacher and, upon retirement, as a Foster Grandparent. In addition to her work outside of the home, she loved reading and spending time with family and friends. 

Survivors include her children – two daughters, Monique Pope, Erie PA, Raechele Pope (Amy Reynolds) of Buffalo, NY; five sons, Raymond Toliver of Virginia Beach, VA, Dennis Toliver Waite of Buffalo, NY, Fred (Linda) Pope of Erie, Sean Pope of Lynchburg, VA, and Jack (Margey) Lipovac, Des Moines, IA; 36 grandchildren, 90 great-grandchildren, and 11 great-great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews, and other relatives; special long-time friends Ruby Crockett, Maggie Dobbs, and Lou Isaacs, and many other dear friends.  

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one son, Ricky Cole Waite, San Diego, CA, one grandchild, Maranda Thompson, Erie, PA, her former husband, Raymond Pope, Erie, Pa, and five siblings: Elmer Clarence Waite, Ethel Grace Waite, Lawrence Gerald Waite, Ralph Ivan Waite, and David R. Waite. 

Heartfelt gratitude to the family, service providers, and healthcare professionals who tended to her needs over the years. 

Friends are invited to the Burton Quinn Scott Cremation & Funeral Services Inc. Downtown, 602 West 10th Street, on Saturday, December 21, 2024, from 12:00 P.M. until Time of Sharing at 2:00 P.M. Burial will be private.