Jo Day Cope

Jo Day Cope, 80, a native New Mexican who grew up in Portales, passed away peacefully at her Albuquerque home on February 13, 2018. She was preceded in death by her parents, Maurine and Chick Schlenker. Jo Day is survived by her children, Monica Hawes and husband, Mark, Holly Schutz and husband, Leroy, Carol Cope, and Sean Cope; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; brother, Johnnie Ray Schlenker and wife, Lynne; and sister, Patsy Carolyn Neely.

Jo Day earned a Master's Degree from UNM. She worked for 30 years in the UNM Health Sciences department as a Genetic Counselor in the pediatrics unit working with families of children who had birth defects or genetic disorders, providing counseling, support, and education. She also worked in a private counseling capacity for work and family related issues

Her proudest accomplishment was raising her four children, much of the time as a single parent. She loved the outdoors, cross-country skiing and hiking in the mountains. She was an accomplished cook and considered it one of her favorite hobbies. She started to learn to play the ukulele. Jo Day loved watching birds, especially humming birds, which she would often name.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, February 19, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at Monte Vista Christian Church, 3501 Campus Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM, 87106.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of the following foundations:

John H. (Jack) Saiki Clinical Oncology Endowment Fund http://cancer.unm.edu/saiki

Carrie Tingley Hospital Foundation www.carrietingleyhospitalfoundation.org

UNM Foundation – (Pediatrics) https://www.unmfund.org

UNM Children’s Hospital Fund https://www.unmfund.org/ways-to-give/unm-childrens-hospital-wish-list/