Obituary

Joan Kathleen (Folsom) Kopp
April 1, 1933--August 13, 2022 (age 89)

Joan Kathleen Kopp was born on April 1, 1933, to Pat and Catherine Folsom in Pendleton, Oregon. Kathleen, known to many as Mama, died peacefully at the age of 89 on August 13th, 2022, in her Pendleton home.

Famous for her infectious laugh and sense of humor, her April Fool's Day birthday was always a greatly anticipated occasion. A tradition started when she was only five and friends were coming over for a birthday party. Her mother opened the door, and she and Kathleen's sisters, Patti, and Judy, told guests that the party had been canceled, only to be followed by Kathleen jumping out and exclaiming, "April Fools!"

A carefree child, Kathleen loved being with her Daddy, which translated into a lot of time spent at the Roundup grounds, where he actively volunteered. For Kathleen, this meant being with her horses or reading comic books and just hanging out with her friend, Shirley Navratil. Kathleen loved horses: Her first pony was Molly, then came Smokey, Goldie, Pumpkin and Tony. In 1951, she and Pumpkin proudly represented the the Pendleton Round-Up Court as princesses. Kathleen graduated from Pendleton High School, where she was actively involved in many clubs and committees, including Girls League, Ski Club and PEP Club; she served as Phoenix Club Treasurer, Advertising Manager for The Lantern school newspaper, and Secretary of Quill and Scroll.

She attended the University of Oregon and dental hygienist school in San Francisco, California. She worked as a dental hygienist in Portland, Oregon, until she fell in love with and married Bill Kopp in 1955. They were married for 62 years. Just days after they married, they headed off, for Bill's Air Force duty, which took them to Georgia, New Mexico, Mississippi, and Texas. Following Bill's honorable discharge, they settled in Pendleton, started their family, and raised seven children. With all seven finally in school, Kathleen started cooking for the Pendleton School District, which she enjoyed very much. Her intention was to work for a short time--so she could treat herself to new drapes for the house--but she enjoyed the students so much that she ended up staying on for many years. Kathleen would load up her knitting for break time on the back of her Moped and head off to school. A daily PHS highlight was snack break and serving hot chocolate chip cookies. Rumor has it she had some favorite students who apparently got a few extra chocolate chips in their cookies.

Outdoor school at Kiwanis Cabins was a favorite of Kathleen's. She single-handedly served the students their home-away-from-home meals. Most people might consider it an impossible job, but Kathleen managed with grace and diplomacy and then savored her evening alone time with a book. Alone time in a house of nine people does not exist. So, a grueling day over a hot stove, in trade for an evening of peace and quiet, was well worth it.

Kathleen embodied what it means to be a lifelong learner. She read every day. It all started with The Nancy Drew Series and My Friend Flicka. She nurtured both her intellectual curiosity and sense of adventure. She obtained her license at the age of 50 and that's when she started riding her Moped everywhere with her friend Nancy Niord. Their road trip destinations included Walla Walla, Mission and Pilot Rock. They changed it up, sometimes traveling the backroads and sometimes journeying by the highways.

Mama was deeply loved and appreciated, because there wasn't a day that went by that she wasn't cheerful, stoic, supportive, loyal, engaged, and attentive. When you were with Kathleen, you felt seen, accepted, and loved. She didn't have a judgmental bone in her body.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband William C. Kopp; an infant child John Steven Kopp; her Daddy, Allen Pat Folsom and her Mother, Catherine Fitzgerald Folsom; her sisters Patti Green and Judy Gladman; and her granddaughter Ashlee Lynn Hodgen.

Her legacy lives on in her adored, cherished and loved 14 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren (with one on the way) and in her children: Linda Jarvis (Brian); Billy Kopp (Shary); Philip Kopp (Kim); Cari Vogler (Eric); Cathy Ochs (Gerry); Christopher Kopp (Rebecca); and Curtis Kopp (Suzy). She also leaves behind her faithful companion, Baby Kitty. To honor Kathleen's memory, the family recommends donations to the Ashlee Hodgen Memorial Scholarship Fund (Branch Columbia Bank 2101 SW Court Place, Pendleton, Oregon 97801).