Elaine Pope

CONCORD - Elaine T. Pope, age 72, of Orchard Street, passed away on Tuesday, May 2, 2017, at Concord Hospital.

She was born in Concord, the daughter of the late Doria and Laura (Croteau) LeBrun. She was a graduate of Concord High School, Class of 1966.

Elaine worked as a librarian at Beaver Meadow School in Concord for over 20 years. Both the kids and the books fed her soul. She was an avid reader, and a member of multiple book clubs. Of course, the clubs were merely a reason to be with the friends she held so dearly.

Among her many book favorites was Hemingway's The Old Man and the Sea. Like Santiago, Elaine was a woman of tremendous will and determination, whether on the tennis court, the golf course, or simply caring for her family. This was no more evident than in recent years. When diagnosed and given mere months to live, she was having none of it, and she sure did show "them". She fought every single day to live well and fully. She explored many new interests to keep herself young, spirited and caring - from mahjong to yoga and reiki. And, as she'd done throughout her life, she continued to be the giver of a million acts of motherly and grandmotherly love, care and devotion. She showed us all ""how it's done"", ultimately enjoying five more good years with her remarkable husband, family and many friends all by her side and in endless awe of her courage and spirit.

Elaine enjoyed playing tennis in her younger years, and golf in retirement. She loved traveling and spending time with her grandchildren, family and friends at the ocean at her home on York Beach. Her beach garden, the birds that populated it, and the sweet smell of the saltwater air gave her great pleasure.

The jewels of her life were her grandchildren. She is survived by her loving husband of over 50 years, Dennis Pope, of Concord; her two sons, Dennis G. Pope and his wife, Kathy, of Concord, and Matthew Pope and his wife, Heather, of Seattle, Wash.; her grandchildren, Bridget, Finnigan, Aidan and Ruby Pope; her sisters, Dorothy Kinsley of Bow and Laurie Foley of Hingham, Mass.; a brother, George Lebrun, of Concord; and many nieces and nephews.

She had a wonderful life and was deeply thankful for all who made it so.
.
SERVICES: Memorial visiting hours will be held on Friday, May 5, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Waters Funeral Home, 50 South Main Street, Concord.

A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, May 6, at 11:30 a.m. at Christ the King Parish, St. John's Church, 72 South Main Street, Concord.

In the spirit of Elaine's love for literature, the family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Elaine's memory to the Beaver Meadow Library, c/o Concord School District, 38 Liberty Street, Concord, NH 03301; or to the Concord Public Library, c/o Joann Salemy, 45 Green Street, Concord, NH 03301.