Former Mackay High School Home Economics Teacher Passes Away in Boise

Napina Margaret McCormick Cummings, called "Kip" by her family and friends, passed away peacefully at the age of 70 on Friday, August 27, 2010, in Boise, Idaho. She was born October 25, 1939, in Boise to Fred McCormick and Napina Ternan McCormick and lived in Boise during most of her childhood. The eldest of three children, Kip attended Washington Elementary, North Jr. High and graduated from Boise High School in 1957. During her teen years Kip worked as a lifeguard at Lowell Pool in Boise. She taught many youngsters to swim during that time. Kip attended Boise Junior College and the University of Idaho where she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. She graduated from the U of I with a Bachelors of Science in Secondary Education-Home Economics in 1961. On April 15, 1961 Kip married Richard A Cummings. They moved to Reseda, California where Kip was a wife, mother and a Home Economics Teacher at Birmingham High School in Van Nuys, California. Happy to return to Idaho, the family moved to Jerome, Idaho, in the early 1970's and then to Council, Idaho, where their fourth child was born. Kip later taught Home Economics in Mackay, Twin Falls, and Driggs, Idaho. She retired in 2003 and moved to Boise to be with friends and family. An accomplished cook and seamstress, Kip always loved to cook and sew for her family. Partial to flowers and plants of all kinds, she was often found working in her beloved garden. Her favorites were sunflowers and roses. Attending reunions and frequent luncheons, Kip stayed involved with her BHS Class of '57. Throughout her life she enjoyed skiing. She always looked forward to the annual camping trips at Redfish Lake with the Everts family. Kip is survived by her four children: Kristin Cowart (Lee) of Bend OR, Richard Cummings (Tracy) of Chandler, AZ, Kathryn Cummings (David Sup) and Karrie Cummings of Boise; four grandchildren, Nicole Cowart Seifert, Nicolas and Hanna Cummings, and Neva Olson, and grandson Jensen Seifert. She is also survived by her brother, Charles McCormick (Ginnie) of Seattle, WA. Nieces and nephews include Sarah and Kay McCormick, and Kaitlin McCormick, Scott McCormick and Patrick McCormick. Kip was predeceased by her parents, Fred and Napina Ternon McCormick, granddaughter, Claire Ann Olson, and brother, Michael Ray McCormick. A visitation will be held from 5pm to 7pm, Wed. Sept.1, 2010 at Bowman Funeral Parlor, Garden City. Funeral services will be held at 10am, Thurs. Sept. 2nd at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Boise. Published in Idaho Statesman on August 30, 2010