Michelle Lee Pope

Michelle attended the Life Skills program at Altoona Area High School, where she graduated in 1995. After graduation, Michelle attended Skills of Central Pennsylvania, where she made many lifelong friends until her “retirement” in 2019.

Michelle had a smile that could warm the coldest room and a soul that felt only love for the people she was around. Together, with her best friend “Buddy,” they brought out the best in people. Whether a trip to the beach, a swim in the pool, a stroll through the zoo or just simply coloring and building puzzles, Buddy was always there. Through the good times and the bad, the memories made were what carried her through.

Michelle was preceded in death by her father, Ernest Pope Jr.; a brother, Robert Pope Sr.; paternal grandparents, Ernest Pope Sr. and Marguerite (Peggy) Pope; maternal grandparents, Donald E. and Norma Jean Nagle; paternal aunt, Lisa Rickabaugh; paternal uncle, Todd Pope; maternal uncles: Michael Nagle, Craig Nagle and Donald Berry; and a cousin, Trisha Hoffman.

Michelle is survived by her mother, Arlene Warner, of Altoona; stepfather, Tom Strayer of Tyrone; a brother, Ernest Pope III (Sharon) of Hollidaysburg; a stepbrother, Matthew Strayer of Pittsburgh; a nephew, Austin Pope of Indiana, Pa.; a nephew, Holdon Pope (Kylee) of Altoona; a niece, Sydney Pope (Isaac) of Altoona; an aunt, Linda Berry in Maryland; uncles: David (Rosie) Pope of Altoona, Glenn Davis of Pottsville, Pa., Richard (Nyla) Pope in Oregon, Scott Pope of Altoona, William Pope of Altoona, Donald Jr. (Darlene) Nagle of Altoona, Kenneth (Jenny) Nagle of Altoona, Ronald (Lynn) Nagle of Altoona; and many cousins, great-nieces and great-nephews; and lifelong friends who became family along the way.

Michelle was a member of Fairview United Methodist Church in Altoona, where she attended services with her mom and Buddy faithfully.

Family and friends will be received for a public viewing from 3 to 5 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at Leslie Axe Funeral Home, 1520 Fourth St., Altoona.

A Funeral will take place at 1 p.m. Thursday, April 9, 2026, at the Axe and Santella Family Chapel, 1534 Fourth St., Altoona, with private interment at Calvary Cemetery at the family’s convenience.

santellafuneralhome.com