Pauline Shirley (Adams) Pope

Pauline Shirley (Adams) Pope, 97, Passed away February 14th, 2026 at the Martin Adult Family Home in Vancouver, Washington.

She was born on October 10th 1928, to Golda and Opal (Rowe) Adams on the Oregon Slope near Weiser Idaho. Her first school was a one room schoolhouse "up the holler" until she attended Weiser Idaho Schools. As she grew, she enjoyed riding her horse “Brownie”. She loved to sew and enjoyed making clothes for her kids. She also loved flowers, spending many hours “pulling weeds”. Even into her 90’s she would sit or lie down next to the flower beds to get her hands on the weeds to pull them out by the roots, which could cause concern in Susie’s front yard from people driving by seeing an “old lady” lying on the ground.

She married Wilford McConkey in 1948, and they had 4 children. They later divorced, and she then married Norman Pope in 1964.

She had many experiences in addition to raising her children, she lived on a farm in Notus Idaho and cooked for a neighbor sheep ranch when the herds were brought in and helped with the farm they had in New Plymouth, Idaho. While living in Imbler and La Grande Oregon she worked at a nursing home in La Grande, for several years. She was active in Christian churches wherever she was and served as Deaconess in many. Her church work was important to her.

In retirement, She and Norman bought a 5th wheel trailer so they could travel and visit the kids that were spread out over the Northwest. Finally settling down in Milton Freewater, Oregon, then moving to Walla Walla Washington.

Pauline loved her children and all her nieces and nephews. Many remember her as Aunt Pod, a nickname they had all their lives. She especially loved her grandchildren and getting to spend time with them was a blessing. She would be able to recall the names of all the nieces and nephews’, their children’s names and even their children’s names. She would spend many hours calling and visiting with all the extended family when travel wasn’t possible. However,

she loved to travel to visit family in the Treasure valley area of Oregon and Idaho.

After Norman passed, she went to live with her daughter Susan and family where she was lovingly cared for by Susie and family until February 2026.

She is survived by her children, a son Dennis McConkey (Tammie) of Spokane WA, Daughter Ginger Schlegel (Steve) of Union OR, Daughter Susie Solbach (Ed) of Vancouver, WA, Daughter Annette Martel of Vancouver, WA. So many grandchildren, Great grandchildren and Great great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband Norman Pope her parents, Golda and Opal Adams, Brothers Jack, Don and Jim Adams, and Sisters Margarite (Pope) and Betty (Dyas).

As she requested, a graveside service will be held at 11:00 am February 27th at Rosedale Memorial Park 10350 Iowa Ave, Payette Idaho, and a reception will follow at Valley Christian Church, 1325 NW 1 1/2 Ave, Fruitland Idaho.