Shirley Elizabeth Geldmacher Maxwell Pope's Obituary
Shirley Elizabeth Geldmacher Maxwell Pope
Our dear mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and good friend Shirley Pope passed on peacefully to her heavenly home surrounded by her family on Friday, January 12, 2024 in South Ogden, UT due to heart, respiratory, and kidney failure. She will be greatly missed by everyone who knew her and was blessed by her love, friendship, and service.
Shirley was the only daughter born to Ray & Virginia Geldmacher on November 8, 1940, in Portola, CA. After the family moved to Grantsville, UT, Shirley attended Grantsville High School and later married Don Maxwell on February 9, 1957. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple on June 24, 1958. This loving couple had and is survived by 4 children: Donald R. (Sharon) Maxwell, Shirlene (Darrel) Hansen, Brent (Tracie) Maxwell, and Heidi (Ben) Geigle; 19 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren. In Shirley’s words, “a fantastic family”.
She is preceded in death by her loving husband Don, who passed away July 24, 1977, and grandson Daniel Maxwell. She later married John Pope on September 6, 2001, who passed away March 8, 2008. Shirley’s love of life is for her grand and great grandchildren and her family, church, and close friends that were always so dear to her. She is also survived by her younger brother David (Julie) Geldmacher and sisters-in-law Carole, Tonna, and Valeen, as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews; and more recently by several step-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, and older brothers Charles (Tonna), Gary (Carole), and Sam (Valeen) Geldmacher.
Shirley is an active, lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, having held many callings and positions. Her family, church, and dear friends were the most important things in her life. Her love for God is so strong, and she knows that is why she has been blessed with such wonderful people around her. Her family and friends would say the feeling is very mutual. God Be With You Til We Meet Again!
In her professional career, she worked for Morton Thiokol and her favorite job, volunteering to help young children read in a foster grandparent program. She loved volunteering her whole life, which bears witness to the kind of life she lived and the person she is.
Special thanks to the management, staff, and residents of Avamere at Mountain Ridge Assisted Living in South Ogden, UT, where Shirley happily and gregariously served as Resident President. Shirley’s love, compassion, and positivity made Avamere the place to be and her presence will be greatly missed. Thanks also to her good friend Kaye, and at the end of her life to Marcie Summers Thomas and Denise Stephens at Inspiration Home Health & Hospice for their patience, compassion, kindness, and loving care.
Services will be held on Thursday, January 18, 2024 at Premier Funeral Services, 67 E 8000 S in Midvale, Utah. The viewing will start at 10:00 am, followed by the funeral starting at 11:00 am. Interment and dedication of the grave will be at Valley View Memorial Park Cemetery in West Valley City, Utah.
For those unable to attend the service in person, the family has made available a Zoom broadcast: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82180439031
Meeting ID: 821 8043 9031
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