“Having been is a kind of being.” Viktor Frankl
I was born in the community of Crecy in Trinity County on September 4, 1934, to Alton and Bonnie Pope (both deceased). I was John N. Lomonte’s wife for 23 years and his friend for many more; he died in 2007. I am survived by our beloved daughter, Emily Chandler Lomonte (whose birth I always considered a true miracle and the greatest achievement of my life), and her husband Charles Passmore. I was always devoted to my siblings and am survived by three of them: Sharon Pope, Mike Pope, and Diane Schule. Laverne, my adored sister, mentor, and role model, preceded me in death as did my nephew, Allen. I am also survived by two brothers-in-law, Jim Schroeder and Jay Schule; a sister-in-law, Jane Shuford Pope; nieces Jan, Alex, Courtney, and Carrie; nephews Bryan and Tim; great-nieces Maury, Camille, and Hannah Jane; great-nephews Tyler, Calvin, and Collin; numerous other relatives and friends, former students and co-workers.
For generations, education has been very important to my family and I am proud to have graduated with honors from Shepherd High School, Sam Houston State University (B.S.), and the University of Maryland (M.Ed.).
It was my good fortune to have a multi-faceted, challenging career. Whatever the task, I assumed personal responsibility and gave dedicated service. I was involved in education at: Georgetown Visitation College (D.C.), St. John’s College (Annapolis), the University of Maryland, and Anne Arundel County (MD) and Spring Branch public schools.
The majority of my career was spent in business: The Dow Chemical Co., S:HE (a company I established and owned), The Aberrant Behavior Center, Community Health Computing, Mrs. Baird’s Bakeries, and M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. My most satisfying professional accomplishments were training the first all-women’s Peace Corps group (assigned to Morocco); helping develop a plan for the President and State Department to use when Americans taken hostage by terrorists are released; having an opportunity to impact the lives of hundreds of students; and being a part of M.D. Anderson’s fight against cancer.
After retirement in 2001, I continued to enjoy a full and abundant life filled with volunteer activities, travel, reading, card-playing, music, movies, plays, and any activity involving my family and friends.
There will be a private interment in a small cemetery near my birthplace where I will join my parents, both sets of grandparents, one set of great-grandparents, a great-great-grandmother and numerous other relatives. Please do not send flowers; I enjoyed their beauty while I lived. Instead, perform an act of kindness for yourself, a friend, family member, or a complete stranger. If you are moved to make a contribution in my memory, M.D. Anderson makes good use of all donations.
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