Mary Therese Wittman Pope

Mary Therese Wittman Pope

Mary Therese Wittman Pope, age 73, of Erie, died Friday, August 20, 2010 at Elmwood Avenue Presbyterian Lodge. She was born April 4, 1937 in Erie, a daughter of the late Joseph C. and Rose Hoffman Wittman.

She was a graduate of Saint Benedict Academy and received her Bachelor's Degree in Education at Seton Hill. She was a teacher in the Erie School District for 38 years, retiring June of 1999. She was a member of Blessed Sacrament RC Church; serving on their Parish Council, PTC, as a Sacristan and Eucharist Minister. She was a member of the Women's Club of Erie and Genealogical Society. She was also involved with the Girl Scouts and the Cursillo Movement.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her step-daughter, Sue Groszewicz and a brother, Joseph F. Wittman.

She is survived by her daughter, Elizabeth "Beth" DiPaolo and husband Patrick of Erie; one step-daughter, Linda Pope of Scottsdale, AZ; one step-son, Frederick Pope and wife Kit of Phoenix, AZ; one step-son-in-law, Mike Groszewicz of Lake City, PA; one brother, Michael X. Wittman and wife Cynthia of Wichita, KS; two sisters, Kathleen Terrill of Erie, PA and Judy Wilhelm and husband Gale of Apollo, PA and two grandchildren, Julia and Nico DiPaolo. She is also survived by two step-grandchildren, Misty Eckendorf and husband Ryan and Sarah Pope, several great step-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and her dear friend, Stephanie DiPlacido of Erie, PA.

Friends are invited to call at the John R. Orlando Funeral Home, Inc., 2122 Raspberry Street, on Tuesday from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 pm and may attend a service there on Wednesday at 9:30 am followed by Funeral Mass at Blessed Sacrament RC Church, 1626 West 26th Street, at 10 am. Burial will be in Trinity Cemetery.