Mary Catherine Pope

February 1, 2025

CHARLOTTE – Mary Catherine, also known by her friends and family as “MC” and “Loah”, passed away on Saturday February 1, 2025. Born in Charlotte, North Carolina on October 10, 2001, MC was the daughter of Alan and Mary Beth Pope.

As a child, MC was a bundle of energy, with curly blond hair and striking blue eyes inherited from her mother and shared with her sister. Active and outgoing, MC managed more than one trip to the emergency room, often after trying to imitate her older brother whom she idolized. This energy found a home in a multitude of active and creative outlets including soccer, lacrosse, cross country, track, hiking, backpacking and rock climbing. MC recently embraced rollerblading with friends, earning yet another trip to the emergency room with plates and screws in her arm as a souvenir. MC’s active life was never about competition at the expense of anyone else, rather exercise and the outdoors filled her soul.

As a “lifer” at Charlotte Latin School, MC made a legion of friends who remember her as wicked smart, but selfless to a fault, always finding a way to be kind and compassionate to those around her. Young runners on her cross country team learned from her that the joy of running and the value of friends were much more important than competition. MC’s drive off the track was unmistakable, and her natural intellect lead her to Vanderbilt University on an academic scholarship, where she graduated with degrees in Biology and Education Studies, with honors.

Reciting accolades would embarrass MC, no matter how deserved. Achievements, whether athletic or academic, were unimportant to MC, and what truly mattered was finding and creating beauty in the world. MC had an uncanny, almost magical ability to find four leaf clovers at a glance, and creatively expressing love through watercolors and sketches inspired MC and resulted in beautiful portraits of transgendered friends.

More importantly, MC had a warmth and kindness she used to uplift others, particularly those who were in need of love and compassion. MC kept a ready stash of gallon bags, each with a water bottle and a Nutri-grain bar, to hand out to any homeless person she encountered. MC also tutored homeless and runaway children in Nashville, many of whom were ostracized by their own families. MC’s kindness was further reflected in her devotion to her many friends made throughout her 23 years, from MPPC preschool to Charlotte Latin to Vanderbilt to HopeWay and beyond, but most notably in her special bond with her sister.

Her art and her actions reflected the world as she wanted to see it - loving, compassionate and beautiful. MC will be remembered in warm rays of sunshine on a cold day, flowers growing in a crack in a sidewalk, and sunsets in the mountains. MC’s hope for this world was that all of us find the same beauty in others and the world that she saw.

Surviving MC are her parents, Alan Weldon Pope and Mary Elizabeth Pope of Charlotte, her brother, Richard Alan Pope II of Boston, and her sister, Anna Elizabeth Pope of Charlotte.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Mary Catherine’s name may be made to HopeWay at www.hopeway.org/donate or via mail at 1717 Sharon Road West, Charlotte, NC 28210. HopeWay is a nonprofit mental health treatment organization that provides comprehensive mental health services for children, teens and adults.

Celebration of Life Services for Mary Catherine Pope, 23, will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 8, 2025 at Myers Park Presbyterian Church with the services to be live-streamed at myersparkpres.org/live/.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28204 (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.

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  • Evvie Risk

    I went to Rockbrook with MC, all my friends would tell me how she was the best counselor and I remember always wishing that I had her. I remember rock climbing and reaching the top of the alpine tower for the first time, I can still remember how I felt listening to her sing the song for when you reach the top. singing along swinging my legs feeling proud. That moment will always be in my heart. I am so sorry for your loss.

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  • Kristen Rossi

    MC was my son Jack’s SAT tutor, they worked together for 6 months. She was an incredible tutor, she was always patient and supportive of Jack’s efforts… really a fantastic academic cheerleader. Her outgoing personality and passion for helping others was evident through her work with Jack. He will miss her help and support in the future, but he will remember her confidence in him and how she taught him to successfully prepare for tests, something he had been unable to do before working with MC. We are so sorry for your loss and please know how much she will be missed.

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  • Luke

    MC was one of the kindest people I've ever met. I'm so sorry for your loss.

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  • Lilly Telfer

    I went to camp with MC and Anna for many years, eventually working with MC on the junior line. MC was always looking to make sure I was doing good, making sure any struggle I had could be eased, and doing all of it with that famous smile. They were strong, genuine, and so smart and creative that they would shock you with the most brilliant and simple solution to your problems. For years, I have admired MC and the way that they live life; guided by kindness and empathy first, no matter what. MC lives in my heart in the music I write (that they thought was pretty cool), the art I create, the four leaf clovers I find, and in the heart of everyone they ever met. My heart goes out to the Pope family, this is so devastating, but I hope you all know just how deeply MC impacted the world.

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  • Ruth Goodwin

    Dear Family Members of MC.
    I do not know you , nor do you know me, but I am sure your heart is so heavy with the loss of MC---a child that God himself inspired and sent to you, to all of us as an example of HIS WAY to live. My deepest condolences in your loss for it reminded me, so much, of my own loss of a niece--just as beautiful, talented, young, and smart as MC. God has to have these really bright and beautiful ones to enhance and adorne HIS Kingdom to come, so when the rest of us arrive, we will have learned from these "Master" persons on earth the true and beautiful plan God wants us all to live. May God Grant you Peace, Grace, and love in knowing you were the parents of truly an earthly Angel.
    Agape to each of you,
    Ruth Goodwin, Albemarle, NC

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  • Janie Chai

    Mary Beth and Alan,
    I did not know MC but my heart goes out to you both and I am so sorry for your loss. Mary Beth, you are such a kind person and I remembered the few conversations i have had with you at Rockbrook pickup for my oldest Katie and other moments as well. Ellie played field hockey with Anna and sends her condolences as well. Sending love to you and your family in this numbing time for you. The world has lost a bright soul but hopefully, MC is shining bright.
    Love, The Chai family—Janie and Jean

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  • Annabelle Abbott

    Mr. and Mrs. Pope, Rich, and Anna,
    I am so sorry for your loss. MC was a wonderful friend and a beautiful person. It is incredible the impact that MC had on so many people and I am so grateful to have had her in my life. She will live on in each and every single one of us.

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  • Izzy

    I was in treatment with MC/ Loah and she was the most sweetest/pure human being I’ve ever met. Her laugh was so infectious and her energy was like no other. She was so loved. My condolences to them and their family.

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  • Matt Piekarczyk

    MC was the newest member of my group at HopeWay when I became the senior member. They had been through a lot and was trying to find the right direction to go next. We became great friends and gave each other candid advice.

    They could make me smile just by being in the room. A truly wonderful presence to everyone around them.

    MC (Loah) will be missed by every single person that they came in contact with.

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  • Sue Graf

    Mary Beth and family,

    Cortland and I are deeply saddened by this news shared by Mia Wellons Carlisle. We currently find Nashville our home so even more poignant. Many happy memories of Latin PreK and Kindergarten days, as well as Foxcroft East swim team adventures. You were so kind to us at my darkest moments of divorce. Losing a child is probably one of life’s hardest challenges. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. May Mary Catherine’s memory be a blessing to you and all who she touched. Fondly Sue & Cortland

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