Shirley May Pope Hahn

Shirley May Pope Hahn, age 96, a long-time resident of Hobart, sang her last song, baked her last pie, and cleaned her last kitchen sink, on May 14, 2020. She died peacefully at the hospice facility in Valparaiso. She had just celebrated her 75th Mother’s Day. Her 5 children were the apple of her eye. She was born in Gary, Indiana, on April 26, 1924, to William and Bertha (Eddleston) Lankford. In 1932 the family moved to Hobart where Shirley graduated from Hobart High School in 1942. In high school she was known as a talkative gal and one with a bright future; she had a comeback for everything. Her kids and grandkids were not surprised by this description. In 1943, Shirley married Kenneth Wayne Pope, also a resident of Hobart. From 1945 to 1956, they welcomed 5 children. She loved being a mom. Even towards the end of her life, she recalled her times of ice skating with her children, of playing records and singing, and of teaching them how to do headstands and other acrobatic moves. She adored her grandchildren too and even though they did not live close by, she kept in regular contact with them. They have cherished her as well and have wonderful stories and memories of their grandmother to keep. After Ken died in 2002, Shirley married William E. Hahn of Hobart in 2011. She is survived by her husband, William E. Hahn and by her 5 children – Mary Anne Bryan (Roger) of Whidbey Island, Washington, Sharon Pope (Al Gatti) of Hartford, Connecticut, Ellen Pope (Howard Meehan) of Santa Fe, New Mexico, Nancy Pope (Terry Richey) of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Kenneth (Bud) Pope (Christine Willis) of Boulder, Colorado, 15 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, 1 great, great granddaughter, 2 nieces and 1 nephew. Shirley’s only sibling, Richard (Mary Ann) Lankford of Sarasota, Florida, age 94, also survives his sister. Shirley worked as a receptionist and radio operator for the Hobart Police Department from 1969 to 1984, retiring after 15 years of service. She then moved to Boulder, Colorado, where she worked as a receptionist in the Rocky Mountain United Methodist Home. After living in Boulder for 2 years, Shirley moved to Perry, Kansas, and worked as a receptionist in the First Bank Lawrence. Returning to Hobart in 1988 and still wanting to work, she took a job as a part-time radio operator/receptionist for the New Chicago and Lake Station Police Departments for another 20 years of working in police departments! Shirley became a member of the Hobart First Methodist Church in March 1948 and for many years she was a member of the church choir, taught Sunday school, and volunteered on many church committees and community outreach programs. Shirley was also a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. In her later years Shirley had the opportunity to travel with Kenny and they visited several countries including Thailand, England, France, Germany, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. Then numerous cruises took her and Bill to Alaska, through the Panama Canal twice, around Cape Horn, and from England up around Norway to Russia. A private family memorial service will be held for Shirley on June 5th at Burns Funeral Home, Hobart Chapel. Please call 219-942-1117 or check online at www.burnsfuneral.com to extend online condolences. After the private family service at noon, which will be live streaming on Burns Funeral Home’s facebook page, friends are welcome to join us outside at Burns Funeral Home in Hobart, no later than 12:45p.m. We will line up to go to Calvary Cemetery in Portage where there will be a short service and Shirley’s urn will be interred. After the service you are welcome to join us for a box lunch and a celebration of Shirley’s life at the Arrowhead Pavilion in Woodland Park, Portage. You should expect social distancing to be honored and please bring your face covering. To honor Shirley’s love of music, donations may be made to the Hobart Educational Foundation, 32 East 7th Street, Hobart, Indiana, 46342. Please note that this donation is in Shirley’s memory so the funds will be designated for the Hobart School’s music programs. Or, if you prefer, you may donate to a charity of your choice in Shirley’s memory.

Shirley May Pope Hahn

April 26, 1924 - May 14, 2020