Katherine Robison Shope

Katherine Robison Shope, 96, left this earth on June 7, 2024. She was born August 22, 1927 and raised in

Oklahoma with her younger brother and sister. She roller-skated, rode the trolley to school, and learned to play the piano. After graduating from high school, she entered the University of Iowa, where she obtained her master’s degree in chemistry in a time when few women studied sciences and met her husband of more than fifty years, Wesley Shope.

The couple moved to New Jersey, where their family of two rapidly expanded to include five children as well as a number of pets. The family eventually moved to Willow Spring Farm in Lampeter along with pets as well as cuttings from her asparagus and rhubarb to transplant and a black walnut tree. Kathy continued to take piano lessons off and on throughout adulthood and at one point decided to learn to speak Russian and took courses at Millersville University to that end. Preferring to be outside rather than in, she had large flower gardens of iris and day lilies. Kathy and Wes had a huge vegetable garden, where she spent time weeding and then freezing vegetables for the winter months. Her pickle relish won first prize most years at the Lampeter Fair. Kathy served for eight years on the Lampeter-Strasburg School Board and was active in United Methodist Women, acting as secretary for a number of years. After Wesley passed, she sold the farm and moved to Willow Valley, where she spent the rest of her life. She remained active at First United Methodist Church in Lancaster where she had taught Sunday School as well as been a member of the book club.

She was predeceased by her husband and her daughter Margaret Koppel. She leaves behind four of her children; Elizabeth Shope, Mary Carpenter (Kenneth), Ward Shope (Debbie), David Shope (Janet), and her son-in-law Ross Koppel. She also leaves behind eight grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, June 19th at 11am at First United Methodist Church in Lancaster, PA. Interment will be at the convenience of the family.