Kalope “Pope” Giopulos JAMESSON passed away peacefully on April 24, 2025 at the age of 101. She often said how lucky she had been to enjoy the rich blessings of family and friends, and a long life with good health. The second child and only daughter of Greek immigrants in Wellsville, NY, she was raised with three brothers, James, John, and Peter, and surrounded by a supportive community including an “extended family” of other Greek immigrants and their children. She graduated as the salutatorian of Wellsville High School in 1942 and attended Alfred University, completing her degree in Sociology in 1946. Her work life began as a journalist and editor at the Wellsville Daily Reporter and continued with a stint as a legislative aide in Albany.
In 1952, she wed Dr. Ariste Michael Jamesson, a marriage that would last until his death in 2009. They had two children, Michael and Athena, and resided in the same house in Cuba, NY for over 50 years. As their children got older, Pope (long O and long E) found her true calling as a teacher. She earned her teaching degree at Geneseo College and taught both elementary classes and special education in the Cuba schools until she retired.
In Cuba, she was active in various clubs and community organizations: the Current Topics Club, Shakespeare Club, and Cuba Library Board among them. Mom loved people, and hosting parties was when she really was in her element. As a former amateur actress with the Nancy Howe Players in Wellsville, holidays brought out her talents in entertaining.
After retirement, Mom and Dad played plenty of golf and bridge (sometimes on the same day) and traveled widely to see sights and visit friends and family. After Dad’s death, Mom relocated to Rochester to be closer to family. She spent many years at The Highlands of Pittsford with a full social calendar, making new friends and memories before moving to assisted living in her final years. Right to the end, she always had a smile and positive words for anyone she encountered.
She was predeceased by her parents, Gus and Florence Giopulos; her husband, Ariste; her brother, James (Anne), and their son Dean. She is survived by her brothers, John (Shirley) and Peter; her children, Michael (Susan) and Athena; her grandsons, Matthew (Linh), Nicholas, and Philip; one great-granddaughter, Chloe; and many other extended family members.
Friends may call on Wednesday, April 30, 2025 from 10:30-11:30 AM at J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home, 34 West State Street, Wellsville. Funeral services will follow at 12:00 PM at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 12 East Genesee Street, Wellsville, with interment in Woodlawn Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, P.O. Box 264, Jamestown, NY 14701, the Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Spirit, 835 South Avenue, Rochester, NY 14620, or the Cuba Circulating Library, 39 East Main Street, Cuba, NY 14727.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.embserfuneralhome.com.
To send flowers to the family in memory of Kalope “Pope” Giopulos JAMESSON, please visit our flower store.