Our beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, Patricia LaVerne “Pat” Payne, passed away on February 19, 2025, with family by her side. She is survived by her four sons—Richard (Deanne), David (Cari), Michael (Jennifer), and Steven (Lyric)—her brother John, and many wonderful grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She was born in Colorado Springs to Karl and Norma Parker on July 30, 1943. Patty, as she was called then, had two rambunctious older brothers, John and Karl. She spent most of her school years in Bozeman, Montana.
She enjoyed a year with her parents living in Asunción, Paraguay, where her father was a visiting professor at the agricultural college. She often talked of her exotic pets there: a toucan, a spider monkey, and a mostly wild armadillo.
Pat attended Utah State University and was active in her sorority, Delta Delta Delta. She met Dick there, and they were married in the Logan Temple on January 10, 1964.
Pat and Dick moved to Los Angeles, where Dick earned his Ph.D. at USC. During that time, Richard and David joined the family. After graduation, Dick accepted a position at Boise State College, and the family moved to Boise, where they would live for the rest of their lives. Michael was born next, and finally, the family was brought to completion (perfection?) with the arrival of Steven.
Pat started a preschool out of her home and taught many children and youth there and in her callings for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. As the kids grew older, she returned to school, earned her degree in Elementary Education at BSU, and went on to teach kindergarten and first grade for many years in the Meridian School District.
Pat loved traveling. She especially cherished trips to the Oregon Coast—whether with family, friends, or even alone. Disneyland was a favorite destination, too. One legendary adventure was a two-month road trip across the USA in a van with extended family.
After her retirement, time with her children and grandchildren became her greatest joy. Her “Camp Grandma” weekend sleepovers became the stuff of legend. Her grandchildren always knew Pat’s home as a place filled with joy, fun, and creativity. She never missed Art in the Park, one of her favorite yearly traditions.
When Dick passed away in 2015, Pat later moved to Meridian to be closer to her boys. For more than 10 years, she looked forward to the weekly “Tennis Lunch” tradition with her sons. Her motto was, “You pick, I’ll pay.” These cherished gatherings were full of laughter, inside jokes, meals together, and an abundance of Diet Coke. So much Diet Coke…
In her later years, Pat developed a passion for family history—though she never got around to writing her own! As her health declined with progressive dementia, she was lovingly cared for by the staff at Foxtail Senior Living until her peaceful passing.
Pat had a quick wit and impeccable comedic timing. One of the last things her family heard her say was the punchline from her favorite joke.
She will be dearly missed by all who knew her. We are forever grateful for her love, guidance, and unwavering goodness. Her testimony of Jesus Christ and His resurrection is the foundation of our belief, and the reason we know she is now at peace—joyfully reunited with Dick in the next life.
