Veda JoAnn Wilkinson Cottam

Obituary for Veda JoAnn Wilkinson Cottam

Veda JoAnn Wilkinson Cottam, a beloved sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully in her Chubbuck, Idaho, home on Sunday, January 5 th, 2025, surrounded by her family and loved ones. She was 83 years old. Known for her strength, grace, and creativity, JoAnn’s warmth and love left a lasting impression on all who knew her.

JoAnn was born on October 25, 1941, in Washington, D.C., to Lorraine and Wells Wilkinson, the eldest of nine children. As a child, she performed musical numbers alongside her brothers and sisters in the Salt Lake Valley and beyond, becoming a well-known presence at state fairs and radio and TV commercials.

After graduating from high school in Walnut Creek, California, JoAnn attended Brigham Young University, where she fell in love with Stephen Melville Cottam. They married on June 18, 1964, and built a life filled with love and adventure, raising six children while living in Salt Lake City, Denver, Osborne, Idaho, and Bountiful Utah. Tragically, JoAnn lost her father shortly after her marriage, and while raising her own family, JoAnn took on the additional responsibility of mentoring her younger siblings.

JoAnn excelled professionally as a highly skilled paralegal. The pinnacle of her career was serving as the administrative assistant to two Utah Supreme Court Justices for many years (Durant and Zimmerman). After retiring from the Utah Supreme Court staff, JoAnn continued her education and dedication to the legal community as a University of Utah certified mediator. JoAnn’s artistic talents were equally remarkable; she was a gifted vocalist, pianist, actress, and seamstress, making scores of costumes for young dancers and quilts for grandchildren and loved ones. JoAnn cherished outdoor adventures, camping, and travel with family.

Six years after her beloved Stephen passed unexpectedly, JoAnn married Melvin “Mel” Holmes, with whom she enjoyed retirement in Ogden, Utah, and Cheyenne, Wyoming, until Mel passed in 2011. In 2017, JoAnn reunited with her high school prom date, Kyle Westover. They married and further enjoyed retirement together in Salt Lake City until Kyle passed in 2021.

JoAnn was preceded in death by her eternal companion, Stephen Melville Cottam, her daughter, Linnea Cottam DelHoyo, and her grandson, Jamison Murtha Cottam. JoAnn is survived by her five sons and their spouses: Wayne (Marie) Dale (Tamara), Sterling (Jennifer), Nathan (Traci), Bryce (Heidi), and her son-in-law, Jason DelHoyo. JoAnn is also survived by twenty-two grandchildren: Malynne, Brianna, Chandler, Jayna, Kenton, Olivia, Orion, Bradford, Zaden, Bronson, Stephen, Savannah, Alexa, Gavin, Aunika, Jaqueline, Linnea LaPrele, Ainslee, Boston, Brogan and Meadow. JoAnn is also survived by three great-grandchildren, Adelaide, Jamison, and Matteo. JoAnn is survived by her eight siblings and spouses: Stephen (Patricia), David (Kristine), Emily (Larry), Marsha, Karen, Neil (Susan), Janice (Greg) and Rachel.

A funeral service will be held on January 14, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints located at 450 James Ave., Chubbuck, Idaho, with a viewing from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. JoAnn will be laid to rest on January 15 at 10:00 am at Wasatch Lawn Cemetery in Holladay, Utah. Arrangements are entrusted to Red Rose Funeral Home, 56 S State Street, Preston, ID 83263. 208-254-7866, www.redrosefuneral.com

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in JoAnn’s honor to the En Avant School of Dance or the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. JoAnn’s family extends their heartfelt gratitude to all who enriched her life with friendship, care, and love. Please share a favorite memory of JoAnn or offer condolences to the family by leaving a tribute on this page.