Joan Carothers Cooper
Joan Cooper, 90, took flight June 4, 2018, and is now with the heavenly angels. Joan was born on Feb 20, 1928, in Maxwell, NE, graduated valedictorian of her high school class and enrolled at Southern Nazarene University where she met her future husband. Leon and Joan were married on Easter Sunday prior to graduation from SNU in 1950. Joan was the perfect stay-athome mom, later returning as an instructor of Home Economics and English. She taught one year in a picture postcard one-room schoolhouse in Nebraska, one year at Lacey, OK, Los Alamos High School and twenty-three years in APS, retiring in 1994. Joan enjoyed the New Mexico wilderness areas, taking extended packhorse treks across the Pecos Wilderness and the Valle Grande, floating the Rio Grande River, camping in the mountains and fishing the streams. She traveled much of the world with her husband, including Canada, Mexico, the Central American countries, the Caribbean islands, Europe, even crossing the Berlin Wall. Joan and Leon created a perfect backyard oasis, including a large pond that attracts many species of birds. Hummingbirds visit in droves throughout spring and summer. Joan amassed a huge collection of snowmen. During the holidays it was difficult to find any space in the house without one. She was an avid reader, creative arts & crafter, pianist and singer, charter member of the Cherokee SouthWest Township, the Tucumcari Lunch Bunch, and the Los Alamos Old Timers Association. Most of all, she was a devout Christian, a flawless wife and incomparable mother. Joan will be profoundly missed by her family—husband Leon, children Ken Cooper, Jan (husband Steve) Rivera, Michelle Cooper Espinoza, four grandsons and their spouses, six great grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren, her sister Evelyn Downs & family, and a multitude of precious friends. Joan was predeceased by grandson Jake Price. A celebration of her life will be held at Sunset Memorial Park at 10 a.m., Friday, June 22, 2018. A reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, Joan would prefer each of you to do some special act of kindness for someone less fortunate or in need.