Elizabeth Oakes

Elizabeth Oakes aged 105 passed away peacefully in her sleep on August 21, 2024, at Pointe Frontier.
Elizabeth was born in Ft. Collins Colorado on February 27, 1919, to Glenn and Ruth Kinghorn. She completed her education through Ft. Collins public schools and went on to receive a bachelor’s degree in music education from Colorado State University in 1941. She taught music in Craig Colorado before marrying Dale Oakes in 1943.
She was the mother of four children whom she raised solo after she was divorced in 1966. She was able to begin teaching music again in 1966 and taught 7th grade choir at McCormick Jr. High School until she retired in 1985.
She often said that she was busier after she retired than when she was teaching and belonged to many groups including PEO Chapter C, Staff and Clef, and Cheyenne Retired Teachers. She played oboe in the Cheyenne Symphony and in a Staff and Clef woodwind quintet. She volunteered at United Medical Center, now CRMC, as a “pink lady” and delivered Meals on Wheels well into her 90’s. She swam at the Cheyenne Municipal Pool for nearly 35 years and went down the slide on her 90th birthday.
She was very involved at St. Christophers Episcopal Church starting in 1957. She played the organ and directed the children’s choir for many years. She served on the church vestry several times.
One of Elizabeth’s most cherished contributions was her “carmels”. Her secret recipe candy was given for gifts, sold for charity and coveted by all who had the chance to taste them. She made her last batches when she was 100.
Elizabeth is survived by her children, Nancy Oakes, Luann Edwards, and Dan Oakes; her daughter-in law, Brenda Salverson; grandchildren,Barbara Edwards, Kerry Collins and Aaron Dunn, 3 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandson; many nieces and nephews also survive her.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Bob Kinghorn; and her older son, Bob Oakes.
A Celebration of Life will be held at St. Christophers Episcopal Church on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at 1:00 PM.
Elizabeth requested that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, National Wildlife Federation in honor of the two Bobs, or Chapter C PEO PCE Grant.
Her children are proud of their mother “keeping her head” until the very end. Well done, Mom.