Joyce Cooper

Joyce Marie Page Cooper, 74, of Idaho Falls, passed away September 5, 2012 at Turtle and Crane Assisted Living Center. Joyce was born in Ponca City, OK to Jake and Dixie Page on January 29, 1938. She went to high school at Ponca City High School and graduated in 1956. She went on to earn her Bachelor of Arts in Deaf Education from the University of Oklahoma. Joyce taught at the Pilot Institute in Dallas, Texas where she met and was inspired by Helen Keller. She then set up a deaf program in Midwest City, OK. while her husband completed his education in nuclear science. After moving to Idaho, Joyce taught the hearing impaired students for School District #91 for 20 years. Joyce married Carl Cooper on April 1, 1961 in Ponca City, OK and raised 2 children, Kelly and Brently. Joyce was a skilled seamstress, making many clothes for herself and family including two suits for Carl and over 100 turbans for Breast Cancer survivors. As a cancer survivor herself, Joyce participated in numerous Race for the Cure events, represented Idaho for the celebration on the Capitol Hill in Washington DC, acted as a Reach for the Cure American Cancer Society volunteer at the IF hospital and Relay for Life team captain. Joyce was one of the beloved Merry Mother Puppeteers, along with Linda Baxter. Judy Gilmore and Mary Freund (deceased). Joyce performed as Grandma Needy, Giggling Monster and the Christmas Elf in the Snake River Valley in the 1970’s. She was a true athlete leading aerobics classes for after school teachers, finishing three half marathons. a triathalon and numerous fun runs. Joyce was also an avid back packer. Joyce was an active member of St. Paul Methodist Church, directing Vacation Bible school for 5+ years plus coordinating their IF soup kitchen efforts. Joyce is preceded in death by her parents Jake and Dixie Page and sister Ruby Cleveland. Special thanks to the wonderful care givers at Turtle and Crane for assisting Joyce for the past two months. Donations can be made to the American Cancer Society Relay for Life. Joyce is survived by her husband, Carl Cooper of Idaho Falls; daughter, Kelly Cooper-Slayton (Todd Slayton) of Camas, WA; son, Brently Cooper (Jeanne Cooper) of Hutto, TX; grandchildren, Marshelle and Sara Slayton; and Jessica and Jake Cooper. Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, September 8, 2012 at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church (1730 Saint Clair Ave.) with Pastor Dan Thompson-Aue officiating. A reception will follow the funeral service at the church.