Tallahassee - Patricia (Patsy) Laverne Cooper Rapp, 84, passed away on Dec. 24, 2017. She was born in Asheville, NC on June 25, 1933. In her teens, her family moved to Coral Gables, FL., where she attended Coral Gables HS. Patsy graduated from Florida State University in 1955 majoring in Home Economic Education. That same year Patsy married Don Rapp. They were married for 62 years.
Patsy taught Home Ec., at Manatee Florida High School. The following 20 months they traveled extensively in Europe and worked as Dormitory Counselors for the US Army school systems in Paris France, then back to FSU where Patsy received her MA in Elementary School Guidance.
She decided to support the boys (including Don) in their education and sports careers. As one of the founding families in 1968 of the return of competitive swimming to Tallahassee, Patsy served in many leadership and volunteer roles in the swim team organization including President. She was a certified Stroke & Turn judge and supported competitive swimming in Florida and the southeast.
For 19 summers, Patsy and Don spent their summers at the Chautauqua Institution in Chautauqua, NY. She enjoyed per part time work with the Education Department. Also Patsy relished the Chautauqua Symphony, Ballet and Opera performances and the many intriguing lectures. But especially she loved all her Chautauqua friends.
Her children and grandchildren visited Chautauqua every summer and in addition to time spent with family, her favorite thing to do was attend the Sunday evening Sacred Song service. She was a member of the Chautauqua Literary Society and went beyond to graduate from the Guild of the Seven Seals.
Patsy is survived by Don and their two boys, Murray, and his wife Diane of Alexandria, VA and Darrell, and his wife Toby of Pittsburgh, PA; five grandchildren, Cooper, Kylie, Payton, Rebekah, and Joanna; two brothers, Lowell Jr. and his wife Linda of Hendersonville, NC, and Tom Cooper and his wife Polly of Jensen Beach, Florida.
A life remembrance service will be announced at a later date at the McGuire Center at Westminster Oaks. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Patsy's name to your favorite non-profit charity.
Published in Tallahassee Democrat on Jan. 10, 2018
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