Patricia Elaine Cope

Patricia Elaine Johnson Cope passed peacefully of natural causes with her family by her side on April 13, 2021.

Tricia was born on August 7, 1942, to Kenneth and Thelma Johnson in Richfield, Idaho. She grew up on a small farm near Richfield, exploring with her sisters, doing chores, and learning to love animals - especially horses - and the outdoors. She and her sisters have been a close-knit gang throughout their lives.

She married her lifelong love, Cecil Cope, in the Idaho Falls Temple on December 3, 1962. They started their family in Jerome, Idaho, moved to Boise, and after a few years, moved to Idaho Falls, then a few years later moved back to Boise. As a result, Tricia had plenty of opportunities to make friends all over southern Idaho. Cecil and Tricia raised 6 boys, teaching them a love of family and the outdoors. She was very proud of her boys and their families and loved to go visit them at every opportunity.

Tricia loved music. She sang, played the piano and organ, and even composed songs and poems. She was a member of several choirs throughout her life, both community-based and in the church. Tricia was a very giving person and was quick to volunteer and willing to lend a helping hand wherever needed. She loved to read and travel. She visited Europe, New Zealand, Australia, and traveled all around the US. Tricia especially loved puzzles of all sorts; word, number, jigsaw. Her jigsaw puzzle opus was a 3,000+ piece puzzle she worked on with friends and family for months, then “hodge podged” it together and framed it. Tricia had a quirky sense of humor and would give an appreciative eye roll and a groan at any good pun or silly “dad” joke. A good prank on her would get you an “Oh, you rat fink!”, a laugh, and a big kiss!

Tricia had a strong faith and was dedicated to her work in the temple, often taking the unpopular 5:30am position, performing those duties nearly full time, through any kind of weather, from January 2013 through January 2019. She wrote several books detailing her family history which are kept in the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Tricia was preceded in death by her husband Cecil; her brothers Kenneth and Jean; sisters Jeannette, Beverly, and Gladys; and her Mother and Father.

She leaves her sister Doris; sons, Layne (Penny), Christopher (Stacia), Jeffrey (Genevieve), Gregory (Chrisann), Tracy (Jenel), and Thomas; grandchildren, Joshua (Emily), Daniel (Rainy), Talon, Joel, Violette, Julia, Collin, Logan, and Bailey; and great-grandson Connor.

My brothers and I would like to give thanks to the staff at Overland Court that cared for and loved mom over the last couple years, especially during COVID, and a special thanks to Keystone Hospice staff that also showed caring and love for mom, comforting her and providing a dignified end to mom’s physical journey.

Funeral services will be at 12pm on Saturday, April 17, 2021, at the LDS Chapel on Cherry Lane, Boise. A viewing will be held prior to the service from 11:00-11:45am at the church. Interment will immediately follow at Morris Hill Cemetery.