In Loving Memory of Shirley Joy Pope

August 3, 1941 – October 14, 2026

Faith, Strength, Independence, and a Life Well Lived

Shirley Joy Pope, 85, of Tucson, Arizona, passed away on October 14, 2026, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of faith, strength, determination, and love.

Born on August 3, 1941, in Bulo, Oklahoma, Shirley was a woman who lived life on her own terms. Fiercely independent, strong-willed, and never afraid to speak her mind, she knew what she believed and wasn't shy about letting others know it. You never had to wonder where you stood with Shirley. She told you exactly what she thought, whether you were ready to hear it or not.

But beneath that tough exterior was a soft and caring heart. Those who knew her best understood that behind her determination and sometimes stubborn ways was a woman who loved deeply. She may not always have expressed that love in conventional ways, but it was genuine and very much a part of who she was.

Above all, Shirley loved God. Her faith was an important part of her life, and she carried that love for the Lord in her heart. Her family takes comfort in God's promise of eternal life and the hope of being reunited with her one day.

Shirley made Tucson, Arizona, her home in 1985, where she would leave a lasting mark on the city's skyline. One of her most remarkable professional accomplishments was managing the construction of One South Church Avenue, the iconic 330-foot skyscraper completed in 1986. Originally known as the Great Western United Bank Tower and later as the Norwest Tower and UniSource Energy Tower, the building became a defining feature of downtown Tucson.

It was an extraordinary accomplishment and a fitting reflection of Shirley herself: strong, determined, and built to stand the test of time. Her family can look toward the Tucson skyline and see a lasting reminder of the woman who helped shape it.

Outside of her professional life, Shirley had a great passion for tennis. She loved the competition, the challenge, and the friendships that came with the game. Her competitive nature and independent spirit were just as evident on the tennis court as they were in every other part of her life.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, Frank Neill and Delma Neill, and her brother, Gene Neill.

She is survived by her two children, Tammy Pope and Kent Pope (wife, Kim); her three beloved grandchildren, Preston Pope (wife, Angela), Carley Lewis (husband, Ryan), and Alexis Hart (husband, Keaton); and her six treasured great-grandchildren, Oliver and Beckett Pope, Waylon and Wyatt Lewis, and Emmett and Aiden Hart.

Shirley is also survived by her brothers, Roy Neill and his wife, Loe Neill, and Gerald Neill and his wife, Debbie Neill, and her sister-in-law, Merel Neill, along with extended family and friends who will cherish her memory.

Through her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, Shirley's legacy will continue. Her strength, her unmistakable personality, her faith in God, and the love she carried beneath that tough exterior will remain a part of her family's story for generations to come.

Shirley was never one to follow the crowd or allow others to determine her path. She faced life's challenges head-on, spoke her mind, stood her ground, and did things her own way. She wasn't always easy to convince, and she certainly wasn't afraid of a good disagreement. But that was Shirley, and those who loved her knew there was no one quite like her.

She built more than a landmark in the Tucson skyline. She built a life of purpose, a legacy of strength, and a family who will forever carry her memory.

As her family says goodbye, they find comfort in the words of Scripture:

"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." — 2 Timothy 4:7 (KJV)

Those words seem especially fitting for a woman who faced life with determination, stood strong in her convictions, and loved God.

Rest in peace, Shirley Joy Pope. You lived life your way, spoke your mind, loved with a tender heart, and left a lasting mark on this world. Until we meet again, you will forever be loved and remembered.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to be made in Shirley's name to the Alzheimer's Association or to Walnut Creek Assisted Living and Memory Care.