Rachel Ethel "Dollie" Pope Olson

RACHEL ETHEL (DOLLIE) POPE OLSON received her wings on April 24, 2024. She was born January 9, 1928, to Raquel (Quela) and John A. Pope Jr. and was baptized at the dedication of the Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto in Rio Grande City that same year.

She had two brothers John A. Pope III and Bill Douglas Pope Sr.  Although each one was unique in their own way, they continuously loved, respected, and admired one another. They also shared a great love of family and Rio Grande City. 

She married Mark Owen Olson of Minnesota on April 17, 1948. They had three children, Mary Jo Ann, who died at birth, and John Andrew. Wanting a daughter, they adopted Leslie Gail at six months of age. It was love at first sight. 

They resided in Rio Grande City, Houston, and McAllen Texas. They returned to Rio Grande City in 1968 after Hurricane Beulah flooded their home in McAllen. Starting at a young age, Dollie worked at the Pope & Pope Law Office and later returned as a legal secretary to work for her father and brother until 2017, when her brother, John A. Pope III passed away. 

During her lifetime, she helped unwed mothers, provided for families in valley with food, clothing, and other necessities. In addition, she taught music, she also taught CCD, and organized both the youth and adult choirs at Immaculate Conception Church. She loved playing the organ and piano, at all the churches she attended over the years. On occasion, she played masses at 3 different churches. Included was her missionary work with the Legion of Mary, for the Bishop of Monterey Mexico. It wasn't until after her mother's death in 2001, that she was able to attend the Miami Nation Tribal meetings. Her great-grandmother was Miami Indian. Dollie was an elder in the tribe and she loved traveling to Miami Oklahoma. 

She was always there for family and community, ready to help. If she couldn't help, she would find someone who could. 

Dollie became a Benedictine Oblate in 2004 at the Monastery of the Good Shepherd. Sister Nancy said she was a treasure and a joy. 

Dollie had a deep love for Rio Grande City and its people. She was a member of the Women's Club, and the Historical Society, and served as a board member of the Immaculate Conception Church, and other organizations. 

She resided in Bryan, Texas for the last seven years of her life with her daughter, Leslie, and son-in-law, Anthony Ruffino. She was able to enjoy life with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was so proud of them and loved them deeply. She is preceded in death by her parents, Raquel (Quela) and John A. Pope Jr., her husband, Mark Olson, her children, Mary Jo Ann Olson and John Andrew Olson and brothers, John A. Pope III and Bill Douglas Pope Sr. She is survived by her daughter, Leslie Olson Ruffino, and husband, Anthony. Grandchildren, John Anthony Ruffino, Angelina Raquel Cunningham (Robert), great-grandchildren, Mark, Rachel, and Victoria. She is survived by her daughter-in-law, Yolanda Olson, her daughters, Palou Velasquez, Beryl Velasquez, Fabiola, and Montse Romero (Mauricio), and six granddaughters Fatima, Midori, Marifer, Rebecca, Sarah, and Elisabeth. In addition, she is survived by her sisters-in-law, Rosario Pope and Anna Pope, nieces and nephews, Bill Douglas (Nelda) Pope, Rachel Pope-Assion (Rainer), Mayela T. Pope, and John Adam Pope IV. 

She cherished Elda Castillo, who was like a daughter, and Elda's family, her husband Raul, and her sons, Carlos Castillo (Carmen Lizett) and children, and Daniel Castillo (Veronica) and children and Raul Castillo Jr. for all their love and care over the years. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Benedictine Monastery of the Good Shepherd and Immaculate Conception Church, Rio Grande City, Texas.