Celebrating the life of
Joan Cope Paez
January 26, 1931 - August 31, 2014
Joan Cope Paez
Joan Cope Paez died August 31, 2014, after a long illness.
Joan was born on January 26, 1931 at Savannah’s Telfair Hospital. Her parents were John Lovell Cope and Kathryn Parish Cope (“Kitty”). Joan and her twin sister Jean spent many happy years on and in the water at Isle of Hope. Their first years were spent in the Pierpont Cottage, now in the area of Parkersburg. Soon after their brother John L. Cope, Jr. (Jackie) was born in 1936, the family moved to their long-time residence on Bluff Drive.
Joan and her sister and brother learned to swim at an early age and soon were happily sailing on the Inland Waterway and diving off the dock at Isle of Hope. They swam, sailed and canoed whenever they had a chance to, and taught those sports at Camp Green Cove for Girls in North Carolina.
Joan went to Charles Ellis Grammar School, followed by Richard Arnold Junior High, Savannah High School, and Armstrong Junior College. Joan then went to Richmond Professional Institute at the College of William and Mary in Richmond, Virginia, where she studied commercial art with a minor in fine art.
Joan lived in many interesting cities, including Bogotá, Colombia (South America); New Orleans, Louisiana; Caracas, Venezuela; and al Jubail, Saudi Arabia, but her heart was always belonged to Savannah, and she returned here in the mid-1980’s to be with her mother and sister.
Following her return to Savannah, Joan produced calendars, annual reports and posters in her position in the communications department at Candler General Hospital. Following her retirement from Candler, she worked for several years for Arthur Smith Antiques in downtown Savannah, sharing her expertise and love of beautiful things with local residents and out of town visitors.
A talented artist, Joan sketched in charcoal or pen and ink, and painted in watercolor and oil, both for her own pleasure and on commission. She taught art to children and adults in South America, Saudi Arabia, and in Savannah as well.
Joan has been a faithful member of Independent Presbyterian Church, where she and her twin were baptized as infants, and where she sang alto in the church choir for many years.
Joan’s love of music was never more evident than when she was singing in the Savannah Symphony Chorus and in her subsequent loyal support and participation in the Savannah Philharmonic Chorus. As a chorus member, Joan promoted the Savannah Philharmonic’s concerts, always inviting friends to attend and share her joy in the music.
She is survived by her three children: Kathryn Jean Paul, Howard C. (Woody) Paul, Jr., and Stephen Eric Paul, her sister, Jean Cope Ennis, and four grandchildren: Adam and Stephen Byrd, and Bryan and Carolyn Paul.
In lieu of flowers, Joan asked that donations be made to Independent Presbyterian Church, the Savannah Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus, or Hospice Savannah.
Following a private burial in the Greenwich Section of Bonaventure Cemetery, services will be held at Independent Presbyterian Church on Friday, September 5, 2014 at 1:00pm.
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Islands Chapel
My thoughts and prayers go to Joan's family and although I did not sit near Joan at rehearsals, we always talked afterwards and I got to know her. She had a wonderful smile which was there all the time and we developed a lasting camaraderie. Now she is with God and at peace. Hi Jean, I tried to find your telephone number but, alas, could not. I would love to hear from you. My number is 598- 0096. Jill Petersen
- Jill Petersen, Savannah, GA
We walked down several paths starting with Candler Hospital while sharing the same department leadership. Joan's multiple talents were apparent then. There were many opportunities to make life better for the patients. Her talents were obvious and she did not hesitate to share with her colleagues and others who valued her work. Sitting next to her in rehearsals was always pleasant. I know she approached her choral works with the same curious mind that showed so wonderfully in her art work.
- Suzanne Aiken, Savannah, GA
Sending love and prayers to Jean and Family for comfort and peace. Joan was such a dear, sweet, gracious lady whose courage and strength will always inspire me every time I think of her. She had a positivity and zest for life to be admired by all. I will miss her eloquent emails and stories about Ben & Koko, her sweet kitties. Thankful she can rest now and, as Georgeanne wrote: sing with that heavenly chorus!
- Merritt Quarles, Savannah, GA
Joan and I sat next to each other with the Savannah Philharmonic Chorus and the Savannah Choral Society for years. I will miss her greatly. She loved to sing! Now she is part of the heavenly chorus. ...Sing with great joy, Joan. My thoughts and prayers are with her loved ones--especially her beloved twin, Jean.
- Georgeanne Schopp, Bluffton, SC
Writing this from TN where I am thinking of dear Joan: what a wonderful lady she was! Wishing I could be there to celebrate her life on Friday at 1pm. But she knows that she is in my thoughts. Thank you Joan; dear friend. Peter Shannon, Artistic director and conductor Savannah Philharmonic.
- Peter Shannon, Savannah, GA
My thoughts and prayers go to Joan's family and although I did not sit near Joan at rehearsals, we always talked afterwards and I got to know her. She had a wonderful smile which was there all the time and we developed a lasting camaraderie. Now she is with God and at peace. Hi Jean, I tried to find your telephone number but, alas, could not. I would love to hear from you. My number is 598- 0096. Jill Petersen
- Jill Petersen, Savannah, GA
We walked down several paths starting with Candler Hospital while sharing the same department leadership. Joan's multiple talents were apparent then. There were many opportunities to make life better for the patients. Her talents were obvious and she did not hesitate to share with her colleagues and others who valued her work. Sitting next to her in rehearsals was always pleasant. I know she approached her choral works with the same curious mind that showed so wonderfully in her art work.
- Suzanne Aiken, Savannah, GA
Sending love and prayers to Jean and Family for comfort and peace. Joan was such a dear, sweet, gracious lady whose courage and strength will always inspire me every time I think of her. She had a positivity and zest for life to be admired by all. I will miss her eloquent emails and stories about Ben & Koko, her sweet kitties. Thankful she can rest now and, as Georgeanne wrote: sing with that heavenly chorus!
- Merritt Quarles, Savannah, GA
Joan and I sat next to each other with the Savannah Philharmonic Chorus and the Savannah Choral Society for years. I will miss her greatly. She loved to sing! Now she is part of the heavenly chorus. ...Sing with great joy, Joan. My thoughts and prayers are with her loved ones--especially her beloved twin, Jean.
- Georgeanne Schopp, Bluffton, SC
Writing this from TN where I am thinking of dear Joan: what a wonderful lady she was! Wishing I could be there to celebrate her life on Friday at 1pm. But she knows that she is in my thoughts. Thank you Joan; dear friend. Peter Shannon, Artistic director and conductor Savannah Philharmonic.
- Peter Shannon, Savannah, GA
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
