Christa Erna Lucie Pope

Our beautiful mother Christa Pope passed away November 1, 2023. Although she was 91 years she was so determined and energetic her family and friends are a little surprised she has passed away.

Born Christa Erna Lucie Gottschall in Glogau Germany, Christa was the eldest of four children born to loving parents Irmgard and Theo. Christa endured too much loss at a young age when WW2 broke out. Her family was separated, and she lost her parents at a very tender age. By the end of the war she was taken in by her Grandmother and became aware that although she had lost her mother, father and younger sister, her two brothers were ok. The closeness with her brothers lasted a lifetime.

In Christa’s true adventurous and energetic way, she studied hard in Berlin and moved to London where she worked to perfect her English. After a few years there she moved to Paris and worked as a governess for the children of a Hollywood producer.

On a train trip to visit her fiancée in Paris, having returned to school to Berlin, she met her future husband of 61 years, a handsome Canadian soldier Norman Pope. Christa and Norman had a great love for each other and their three daughters. They married and came to Canada.

Christa was a very modern, independent woman for her time, highly intelligent and hard working. She raised her daughters, with the hands-on help of their father, and always had a job as well. Christa was always busy, planning fun outings for the family and spending time with the love of her life, Norman. She was very beautiful, loved to dance, and loved a nice party.

Christa, Norman and their daughters moved from Southern Ontario, to Manitoba and in 1970 to Lahr, Germany where she was able to spend time with her brothers’ and their families. Her family travelled Europe and sought out interesting places to explore. After Germany Christa, Norman and family moved to Victoria BC. After retirement they spent decades travelling the world, (she loved Hawaii!), enjoying their home, friends and family including 5 grandsons. Christa continued to spend time with her adult children and grandchildren, organizing family gatherings in the Caribbean, cruises and vacations together. She loved her family deeply and ensured we each knew, sometimes in the form of food, always with lots of hugs. She insisted everyone eat, her grandsons called her the food lady, it gave her great pleasure to entertain and show her skills in the kitchen. She was very creative and loved flowers and plants. Family and friends were all lucky enough to have at least one of her beautiful Christmas wreaths, we each treasure ours.

Christa was a huge animal lover, her home always had at least one pet and were family members. Her last dog Willy was a major support to her, he was over 17 when mom passed, two days later he went to be with her.

Christa’s beloved husband Norman passed away 5 years ago, it was a huge loss, but with her usual resolve Christa continued to keep up with her friends and family and tried to make the best of things.

Christa will be forever missed by her surviving family, daughter Marina, Sandy (Dave) Sharon (Carson), and grandsons Doug, Shawn (Shannon), Chris (Kayla) and Alec (Aidan). She grieved with her family over the loss of her beloved Norman, brothers Karl Heinz and Claus Dieter, sister in law Marina McDonald and grandson Mark Hockley, all of whom went before her, along with many friends.

Services for Christa will take place in the future with internment with the Pope family in St John’s Newfoundland.