May 15th, 1932 - November 22nd, 2023
Barbara Coppom, beloved mother and grandmother, passed away on November 22, 2023.
Barbara was born on May 15th, 1932 in Denver, Colorado to Irene (Pat) and Everett Burnside. She earned her high school diploma from Denver South High School, graduating at the age of 17. In the fall of 1948, while attending a sorority/fraternity fundraiser at Denver University, she met her future husband, Max Coppom. They later married on June 9th, 1951. After taking time away from her education to raise children and become involved in her community, Barbara persevered to later achieve her goal of finishing her college degree. She graduated, Summa Cum Laude, from Regis University in December of 1992 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Minor in Sociology.
Barbara’s life is a true example of how to adapt and thrive. She attended eighteen schools from kindergarten through high school and relocated several times in her marriage during her husband’s air force career. Each time, she sought to find opportunities to not only grow and develop her own skills, but to give back to the community or organization for which she served. After she and her husband returned to civilian life and settled in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, Barbara was an active Blue Bird and 4-H Leader. She was involved in a range of community and civic activities, including President of CosmoPals (wives of Cosmopolitan Service Organization); Secretary of the United Way; Secretary and Vice President of West Nebraska Arts Center, a member of PEO Chapter EQ, and an active community member in the local hospital, for which her husband was President. In addition to raising her three daughters and being a dedicated member of the community, Barbara worked in a range of settings including government, military, community mental health, and technology. In each position that she worked, Barbara was seen as hard-working and quick-learning, leading her to receive many opportunities for advancement and growth.
At the center of Barbara’s life was her dedication and love for her family. Barbara and Max had three daughters in 1954, 1958, and 1962 and she was an involved and motivating presence in her daughter’s lives. A proud grandmother and great-grandmother, Barbara took great pleasure in spending time with her growing family. She loved sharing her joy of baking and cooking and passing those recipes and traditions down in her family. Her steadfast connection with her family kept her family closely knit, as she demonstrated the meaning of family to others. Her lively spirit touched not only her family, but her friends and members of her community.
Barbara is survived by sister, Judi Russell, sister-in-law Gwen Burnside, daughter Kathy Asta, daughter Cyndi and husband Rich Johnson, daughter Nancy Coppom and husband John Haskins; Grandson Christopher Asta and wife Jodi Kostelnik, Granddaughter Elizabeth Asta and husband Nathan Talley, Granddaughter Leslie Haskins, Grandson Nathan Noterman and wife Angela Yataco Aguilar, Granddaughter Natalie and husband Rudy Rodriguez, Grandson Daniel Johnson, and Granddaughter Catherine Johnson; Great-granddaughters Lila Talley, Noelle Talley, and Marley Rodriguez.
Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Irene (Pat) and Everett Burnside, brother, James “Bud” Burnside, and husband, Max Coppom. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Barbara’s honor to Frasier Meadows Employee Education Fund, 350 Ponca Place, Boulder, CO 80303.
A memorial service will be held at Frasier Meadows Retirement Community Chapel, 350 Ponca Place, Boulder, CO 80303. The date and time are pending.
