ELIZA POPE

POPE, Eliza McCaslin, age 28, passed away October 8, 2012, surrounded by her family. She is survived by her father, James Mathews Pope; and mother, Amy King Pope; brother, Lucas Pope and his wife, Caroline; sisters, Sarah and Betsey Pope; boyfriend, Harrison Crumrine; grandmother, Ann Pope; uncles and aunts, Bobby and Carol Pope, Ed and Pat Hartman, Tucker and Liz Perkins, Dean and Jessica King, Nelson and Meg Murray and Tom and Ann Berkman; and many cousins, her beloved dog, Charlie; and many friends. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Harvey Pope, Bill King and Betsey King. Eliza graduated from St. Catherine's School and the University of the South with a B.A. in history. In recognition of her academic achievement and leadership, she was inducted into the Order of Gownsmen while at Sewanee. After serving as a paralegal, she entered the Marshall-Wythe School of Law at the College of William & Mary. While fighting her illness, she graduated on May 13, 2012, with a Juris Doctor degree, becoming the third generation in her family to attend the law school. Eliza will always be remembered for her quick wit, kindness to children and skills as a great chef and painter. She possessed a wisdom beyond her years, and one always knew where she stood on an issue. During her battle with cancer, she never displayed anger or self pity or complained of pain, and she was always ready with a wisecrack to lighten up the most difficult moments. The tone she set, her sense of humor, and her courage inspired awe in everyone around her. The family would especially like to thank the doctors and nurses at the Harold F. Young Neurosurgical Center and Massey Cancer Center at the Medical College of Virginia for the tremendous dedication and respect they showed Eliza. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, October 11, 2012 at St. James's Episcopal Church, 1205 West Franklin St., Richmond. The family will receive friends following the service at the Commonwealth Club, 401 West Franklin St., Richmond. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Eliza Pope's name to the Harold F. Young Neurosurgical Center at the Medical College of Virginia, 417 N 11th St., # 6, Richmond, Va. 23298, the Marshall-Wythe School of Law at William & Mary, P.O. Box 8795, Williamsburg, Va. 23187-8795, or St. Catherine's School, 6001 Grove Ave., Richmond, Va. 23226.


This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.