Mary Elizabeth Tharp Bope, mother of Ed Bope, MD, editor of The Ohio Family Physician, passed away on September 21 at age 99 at her home in Somerset, OH.
Mary was born on December 1, 1918, on the family farm in Hemlock, OH, to the late Harry Orin Tharp and Alice Nixon Hodgson Tharp.
Mary graduated from Central High School, Hemlock, OH, in 1936 where she was senior class president. She attended Capital University, Bexley, OH, obtaining her two-year teaching certificate in 1938 and her Bachelor of Arts, honoris causa in 2013. She taught 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th grade at Central in Hemlock from 1936-42.
As a youth, she was a member of the Church of Christ in Hemlock. After moving to Somerset in 1951, she was a member of Somerset United Methodist Church for more than 67 years. She taught Sunday School Classes for many years and was a long-time member of the United Methodist Women and Martha Circle. Mary made creative and generous contributions to church, community, and school over her lifetime. She was a member of Safford C.C.L. for over 50 years, Perry County Retired Teachers Association, a district representative for Southeastern Ohio TB Board, an active PTA member at Somerset and Sheridan for many years, and Friends of the Somerset Public Library. Mary did many good deeds for those in need in her church and community. She was a devoted wife and mother, a wonderful cook, and an interesting and creative contributor to family and community.
Mary will be deeply missed by her family, friends and the community. She is survived by her children, Alice Bope (Charles) Parsons of Pataskala, Dr. Edward Tharp Bope of Columbus, Ruth Bope Dangel of Upper Arlington, and John C. and Jane (Mack) Bope of Somerset; grandchildren, Theodore (Margaret) Parsons of Strongsville, Andrew (Gretchen) Parsons of Middleville, MI, Julie Bope Cains of Somerset, Jordan (Kyla) Bope of Alexandria, and Elizabeth Dangel (Ben) Gift of Charlotte, NC; great-grandchildren, Emma and Ainsley Parsons, Charles and Joseph Parsons, Owen and Mia Cains, and Decker Bope; and many wonderful nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Charles E. Bope; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Dr. Vernon Lance (Grace) Tharp and Dr. Victor V. (Marilyn) Tharp; and a sister and brother-in-law, Joan “Jody” Tharp (Lloyd) Hendry.
Services were held on September 25 at the Somerset United Methodist Church with the Rev. Karen Walters officiating. Burial followed in New Lexington Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Somerset United Methodist Church.