Mary Agnes Ruckman

Mary Agnes Ruckman, 89, of Cheyenne died peacefully at Davis Hospice Center February 4. She was born Mary Agnes Ward on June 20, 1928, in South Bend, IN, spent her childhood in Reynoldsville, PA graduating from Roxborough High School of Philadelphia, PA in 1947 prior to moving to Wyoming with her family in 1948.
She started employment with the State of Wyoming soon after arriving in Cheyenne later starting a family and becoming a homemaker raising three sons. Once her children were all grown she returned to working for the State of Wyoming in 1977 and retiring in 2001.
Throughout her life Mary was an avid reader often exchanging books with family and friends. She loved her Canasta Card Game group where the card games became secondary to discussing the topics of books they were reading or the current events of the day.
She loved travel, camping, skiing, horseback riding, music, theater, film and the arts. She could be found singing around the home encouraging her children to learn music. She was an active parent chaperon on many high school band trips with her sons.
Mary loved animals especially dogs and cats she adopted throughout her life. She was a longtime donor to the National Geographic Society, Smithsonian, Red Cross and Animal/Wildlife organizations.
Mary had a kind sweet nature, she was a good sister, mother, friend, a helpful neighbor and beloved by many.
Mary is survived by three children, Ken Ruckman (Cindy Engle) of Aurora, CO; Mike Ruckman (Ginny Storey) of Cheyenne, WY; Gene Ruckman of Arlington, VA; 6 grandchildren; 9 great grandchildren; and her sister Catherine Hebert of Ormond Beach, FL.
She was preceded in death by her sister, Sally Madsen, her half sister, Florence Hayes and her parents, William Ward and Agnes Hayes.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Davis Hospice Center, Cheyenne Animal Shelter or the Alzheimer’s Association.
Cremation has taken place at Cheyenne Memorial Gardens. A memorial service will be held at a later date.