Sheryl M. Fanning

Sheryl M. Fanning, 80, of Cheyenne, passed on March 30, 2024, at Davis Hospice Center, surrounded by her loving family.
She approached life with irrepressible positivity, humor, kindness, and faith—starting each day with a radiant smile and usually a song. She was a social butterfly, making friends everywhere she went and feeling at home almost anywhere, from international travels to the homestead and ranch where she grew up in Rye, Colorado.
She was born on July 3rd in Pueblo, CO and graduated from Rye High School with a class of 13. She went on to earn a degree in Elementary Education at Adams State College and then completed a Master of Library Science and Audio Visual at the University of Northern Colorado. She started her teaching career in Arizona but then moved to Denver, where she taught for 10 years at Rose Hill Elementary in Commerce City until she met and married her husband Paul. They were married June 6th, 1976 outside of Denver and thereafter she joined him to start their life together in Cheyenne. She taught 2 years at Cole Elementary, and then was the librarian for 21 years at Johnson Junior High and 8 years at East High School.
During these years she was active with a variety of local and national groups including: Alpha Delta Kappa, WY Library Association, PEO, Cheyenne Little Players Theater, Ascension Lutheran Church, and as a 4-H leader. She enjoyed various social groups such as bridge, gourmet, and others.
She retired in 2008 and became active with the Cheyenne School Foundation Board and worked in the House of Representatives of the Wyoming Legislature.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Pearl and Harold Meredith.
She is survived by her husband, Paul; daughter, Kate Fanning and husband, Yossi Mekelberg (London, England); step-granddaughter, Natalie Mekelberg; daughter, Paula and husband, Vonnie Lopez (Grand Junction, CO); grandchildren, Madeline and Miles Lopez; brother, Hal Meredith and his wife, Jewel Ann (Alamosa, CO). She is also survived by many relatives who became her family through marriage, whom she held dear, and were a large part of her life.
She was dedicated to and found great joy in her family, her friends, and her students. She loved travel and she made sure to celebrate every moment-every birthday, holiday, milestone, and achievement.
The family would like to thank all who helped her along the last and most difficult part of her life’s journey.
A celebration of life will be held early this summer.
Donations in lieu of flowers please, to the Cheyenne School Foundation online (or via post: PO Box 484 Cheyenne, WY 82003) or the Laramie County Library Foundation online (2200 Pioneer Avenue Cheyenne, WY 82001).