Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home

CAMDEN - Helen Mitchell Popp, 87, died peacefully at her Quarry Hill residence in Camden, Thursday, July 21, 2016. Born in Marlborough, MA, at 4 years she moved to Easthampton. In 1946, she graduated from Easthampton High School and that fall, began studies at University of Massachusetts, graduating in 1950, having earned a BA in English.
October 21, 1950, she married Frederick William Popp at Easthampton. Mrs. Popp once remarked with humor, “when I met Fred at the University of Massachusetts, there were more than 1000 men students and only 110 females. The newlyweds made their first home in Watertown, before moving to North Reading.

Mrs. Popp taught Kindergarten and First Grade in North Reading, during which time, she began studies and in 1960 received a Masters Degree from Harvard University. She then began full time Doctorate studies at Harvard, ultimately earning her Ed D in 1964. She worked as a research associate at Harvard, until receiving appointment as assistant, then as Associate Professor of Education. She directed the program for Masters in Reading and had many doctorate students.

Retired from the Harvard faculty in 1983, and having spent weekends and partial summers at North Haven, Maine with her husband, Mrs. Popp moved permanently to North Haven in 1985. Their home, built by Uncle Chester Dyer and lived in by him and by Ida Wooster Dyer, served them well. Mrs. Popp finished several revisions of the Chall-Popp Phonic books and other related books, as well as the Leap Activities books.

Several church boards, the North Haven Historical Society, Garden Club, Grange and various society boards benefited from her particular strengths and she from theirs. Art, gardening and sewing were her hobbies and many folks enjoyed her Christmas cards.

Pre-deceased by her husband Frederick W. Popp in 2013, and a brother Robert B. Mitchell, Mrs. Popp has several relatives including her brother George E. Mitchell and his wife Constance Ott; her sister-in-law Nancy S. Mitchell, Roberts widow; George’s children, Kirsten A., John, Paul and Paul’s wife Betty; and their children, Jason, Peter and Brian; Robert’s 3 sons and Jason’s children.

A memorial service will be announced at a later date at North Haven Baptist Church. Dr. Robert Bach will officiate. Interment will be in Sea View Cemetery, North Haven. Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland.