Barbara Joyce Day

Barbara Joyce Day (Barb), 93, of Boise (formerly Mountain Home) died of natural causes, peacefully surrounded by family on March 22, 2022 just two days shy of her 94th birthday. Barb was born March 24, 1928 in Mt. Clemens, Michigan to Joyce Poulson Knapton and Rex Elton Knapton. When Barb was a teenager her parents moved the family including her two younger siblings from Michigan to New Meadows, Idaho, where her father had worked as a young man and fell in love with the wilds of Idaho. She attended early schools in Michigan, her senior year in New Meadows, Idaho and achieved her Bachelor’s Degree in Education with a Minor in Art from the University of Idaho. Fulfilling her deeply held belief that women should embrace higher education. At the University of Idaho, she joined and lived at the Alpha Chi Omega sorority. After marrying her beloved husband Rex Alvin Day on December 21, 1947, as newlyweds they lived together in Moscow, Idaho while they both completed their undergraduate degrees, upon graduation in 1950 they moved to McCall, Idaho, then Cascade, Idaho and finally to Mountain Home, Idaho, where they raised their two daughters, Chris and Connie. Barb's final years were spent in Boise, Idaho. Rex and Barb proudly celebrated nearly 70 years of marriage. Barb and Rex had their first daughter Christine Faith on July 30, 1949 and second daughter Constance Irene joined the family on January 1, 1952. While raising her family Barb pursued a successful 40-year career in teaching in the Mountain Home Public School District. She loved teaching history to her beloved students. After her retirement, while shopping, running errands, or out to eat, she was often fondly greeted and remembered as "Mrs. Day" a favorite teacher of many. Throughout the years her hobbies included community involvement. She was an active member of the Daughters of Rebekah Lodge, American Association of University Women (AAUW), chaired the auction committee for the Henry's Lake Foundation, and faithfully preformed her civic duty as an election day poll volunteer for many years.

Among her other interests which included travel, flower gardening, fashion, art, poetry, and antiquing, her primary passion was an extensive doll collection which fell under the umbrella of her signature collector name The Talesman. Her passion for travel was never-ending. The highlight of her traveling (always with Rex) was a treasured trip to Europe (where she truly knew more than the tour guide!), Barb was greatly moved by their rare opportunity to see Oberammergau Passion Play, in Germany. Barb was, even in her later years, up to date on current events, global news, sports highlights, and always had an informed opinion to share with others.

Her family was incredibly important to Barb. She made it a priority to attend and be present at her children and grandchildren's momentous occasions including celebrations, graduations, and important milestones. She was always proud of her family's accomplishments! This was evidenced by her exceptional scrapbooking and photobook collection. Not to be forgotten was Barb’s love for her cherished pets, who were faithful companions and members of the family, scotty dogs and burmese cats were among her favorites, but her final cat (Sir Frederick) never left her bedside until she took her final breath.

Barb is survived by her loving brother Rexford John (Jack) Knapton, sister-in-law Laurie Knapton, daughter Christine Day Patrick, son-in-law Robert Patrick, six grandchildren Kelli and Brian Grunerud, Brandi Swindell, Jenny and Eric Weaver, Forrest Patrick, Julien and Jenni Ritch Patrick, Ami and Nick Hughes, and five great grandchildren Alex and Jaxon Grunerud, Kaitlyn Tiller, and Ben and David Hughes.

She was preceded in death by her parents Joyce Poulson Knapton and Rex Elton Knapton, sister Elizabeth Ann (Betsy) Adams, husband Rex Alvin Day, daughter Connie Day Swindell and granddaughter Ninya Faith Ostermiller.

There will be a cemetery service at Idaho State Veterans Cemetery on Tuesday April 5, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. officiated by Rev. Patrick Mahoney, followed by a celebration of life memorial reception at Cloverdale Funeral Home at 12:00 p.m.

The family would like to thank the compassionate and caring staff from The Bridge at Valley View her home for the last six years, for their dedication and friendship to Barb.