Betty S. Wagner

Betty S. Wagner, 88, of Cheyenne, passed peacefully February 9, 2017 at Lifecare Center of Cheyenne following a long battle with Parkinson’s and Lewy Body Dementia.
Born Lisa Savino on January 15, 1929 in Altoona, Pennsylvania to Donato and Rosa Savino, Italian immigrants. She was raised in an orphanage and by various family members following their passing when she was quite young.

She graduated from Penns Grove High School in Penns Grove, NJ. With support from her sister and brother in law, Mary and Bill Phillips, Betty completed undergraduate work at Juniata College. She worked as a waitress over summer breaks at a resort in the Catskills. She prided herself in her ability to hold 8 plates as once, a skill she demonstrated at many events. She continued her education and graduated from Boston University with a Masters in Social Work. She began her career with the Lewisburg, Pennsylvania “welfare office”.

It was through her first job that she met Richard K. Wagner while renting a room next door to his family home in nearby Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania. They became engaged and married following a long-distance courtship as he took a job in Idaho for a year. Following their wedding they packed up and headed to Frannie, Wyoming where she was treated to a summer snow that cancelled Fourth of July events. This could explain a slight reluctance to fully embrace the west. She commuted 100 miles each day to work with families in Greybull. A few years later they relocated to Cheyenne where she worked for the “welfare office”.

When she was told that she would not likely be approved for adoption while employed by the agency, she sought new opportunities.

She soon fulfilled one of her greatest wishes. This wish was answered when she became mother to Judy and Lisa, an event which was celebrated annually by her family.

While instant motherhood suited her well, the pull to contribute professionally was strong. She found the perfect job as Director for The Wyoming Children’s Home Society. At the time, it was a small nonprofit adoption agency where she oversaw its’ transition from orphanage to adoption.

She enjoyed traveling throughout the state quarterly and especially appreciated the summer trips which allowed her to take her family with her. While those trips were generally unremarkable, she did have an interaction with highway patrol while listening to the moon landing and not paying attention to her speed. Her bright personality and explanation of her excitement over the event helped prevent getting ticketed. She often opened her home to both mothers and babies. Her affinity for adoption continued through her life both personally and professionally.

Given an opportunity for adventure, Betty moved with her family to Kabul, Afghanistan then Thessaloniki, Greece where she would travel extensively, making friends wherever she went, before settling back in Cheyenne. She was employed at Laramie County School District #1 as a social worker until her retirement. She then became a confidential intermediary assisting adoptees and parents connect.

She was an avid biker, participating in charity rides both local and long distance. Being quite the actress, she was awarded a best actress statuette by Cheyenne Little Theater for her performance in The Rope Dancers. There was pride in having a lifetime membership with Weight Watchers. She was active with the Unitarian Church with a focus on supporting outreach programs. She continued her support of the Wyoming Children’s Society and Juniata College.

With her engaging smile and bubbly personality, no one was a stranger for long. Grocery shopping was not an errand but rather a social event. There was never a birthday or anniversary forgotten for a family member. She encouraged educational endeavors for numerous nieces and nephews and never missed to chance to visit whenever she could. She enjoyed hosting parties and events in her home. That adage about holding on to your fork because something great was coming fit her well.

She is survived by her children, Judy Wininger of Cheyenne and Lisa Wagner (John) of Benson, Arizona; grandchildren Scott McMullen (Andrea) of Nuremburg, Germany, Neill Wagner(Sherri) of Cheyenne and Stephanie McMullen of Cheyenne and great grandchildren, Kyler McMullen and Anna Wagner of Cheyenne.

She was proceeded by her husband, Richard K. Wagner; parents, Donato and Rosa Savino; siblings Mary Phillips, Mildred Branda, Henry Savine, Jane Grassi, Anthony Savine, Michael Savine and Robert Savine, and son in law, Steven Wininger.
Arrangements are under the direction of Weiderspahn Rodomsky. A celebration of her life is being scheduled.
Those who wish may donate to Wyoming Children’s Society at www.wyomingcs.org in her name.