Obituary of Antoinette Pope

Antoinette Pope (nee Perillo), beloved Mother, Grandmother & Great-Grandmother, of Staten Island, passed away peacefully at home on June 1, 2023. “Nettie,” was born in Brooklyn in 1927 to Domenick and Bertha Perillo. She grew up as an only child, but was lucky to have a large community of friends, family and cousins around her. She met the love of her life, Carl Pope, while working as a secretary at his company. They married in 1947 and together had four cherished children before relocating with mother Bertha, to Staten Island in 1971. Some of the words her loved ones used to describe her throughout her life are, “extraordinary” and “fabulous.” From her sense of fashion to her famous New Year's Eve parties, she instilled love and pride into everything she did. Her home was a gathering place for friends and family, always welcoming everyone that walked through her front door. Nettie loved cooking and playing Yahtzee on Friday nights. She loved lipstick, purses, and crumb cake and coffee; but nothing was more important than family. Friends and family know of her favorite quote, “My love does not divide, it multiplies.” Antoinette battled with Alzheimer’s for 20+ years. Despite it all, she never allowed it to fully steal the love she had for family. She is preceded in death by, and now reunited with her husband, Carl and eldest daughter Carol Pufahl. She is survived by daughter Patricia Rauen (husband Tom), and granddaughter Michelle Rauen Hutchins (husband Robert); son Andrew Pope (partner Monika Zdybicka); daughter Annette Pope-Lydon (husband Ed) and grandchildren Victoria Lydon (fiancé Ian Staley), and Matthew Lydon; son-in-law Robert Pufahl (wife Helen); grandchildren Kristen Pufahl Schreck (husband Brad) , and Dan Pufahl (wife Lauren) , and great-grandchildren Riley Schreck, James Pufahl, Anna Schreck, and Grace Pufahl. She will be greatly missed by her devoted aids of over a decade, Claudette and Sharon. Visitation will be held on Sunday, June 4th – 2pm to 5pm and 7pm to 9pm at Matthew Funeral Home, 2508 Victory Blvd. Staten Island. Funeral Mass on Monday, June 5th, 10:00 am at Our Lady of Pity, 1616 Richmond Ave. Staten Island. Interment to follow in Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY.