Miriam Pope

Miriam Ruth (Nilsen) Pope, lovingly known as “Mim,” was born on October 12, 1927, in New Britain, Connecticut, and passed away on November 3, 2024, in Plantation, Florida, at the age of 97. Her life was marked by dedication to family, faith, education, and community.

Mim pursued an impressive academic path, beginning with an A.A. from North Park University in 1947. She went on to earn a B.A. with honors in Mathematics and a minor in English from the University of Connecticut in 1949, followed by an M.Ed. in Counseling and Guidance from Lehigh University in 1969.

As an educator, Mim was passionate and accomplished. She became the head of the Mathematics Department at Moravian Academy in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and also taught locally at Easton Area Schools and Northampton Community College. Her love for teaching took her and her family abroad, where she taught at the American School in Bucharest, Romania, and the International School in Geneva, Switzerland.

 Mim and her husband, Dr. Earl A. Pope, the Helen H. P. Manson Professor Emeritus at Lafayette College, made their home in Easton, Pennsylvania, for 44 years. Together, they traveled widely, embracing new cultures and experiences. Deeply committed to their faith, they were active in the College Hill Presbyterian Church, where Mim was ordained as an Elder and contributed tirelessly to the life and work of the church.

In 2004, Mim and Earl moved to Covenant Living in Plantation, Florida, where they continued to serve and engage with their community. In 2008, they were recognized as the King and Queen of Covenant Living. Mim served on the Hospitality, Landscaping, and Beautification Committees, worked in the Gift Shop, volunteered as a “Friendly Visitor,” and became the Secretary of the Women’s Ministries.

 Mim is survived by her daughters, Marilyn Griffin (Tim) and Laurel Daly (Dan); her grandsons, Danny and Patrick Daly; her sister-in-law, Mary Nilsen; her brother-in-law, Bruce Pope (Margie); her cousins, Janet Carlson (Bill), Carol Morales, and Ted Swanson (Diane); her nephews, Peter Nilsen (Julie), and Geoff Pope (Jill), and her nieces Julie Johnson (Peter) and Jessica Marvin. She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 61 years, Earl, her cherished brother, Paul, and other close family members.

Mim’s legacy is one of warmth, kindness, and service to others. She touched the lives of countless students, friends, and loved ones and will be deeply missed. A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held at College Hill Presbyterian Church in Easton, PA on Saturday, March 22, 2025 at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to the College Hill Presbyterian Church, the Earl Pope Lecture Fund in World Christianity at Lafayette College, or North Park University in Mim’s memory.

 May Mim rest in peace, knowing her life was a blessing to all who knew her.