Penelop Ann Cole

Penelope Ann Cole, 84, of Cheyenne, Wyo., passed away on March 19, 2025, surrounded by her family, both in person and in spirit. Penny was born on October 15, 1940, in Denver, Colo. to Patricia Ann Smith. Penny attended St. Mary’s Catholic School in Cheyenne, and graduated in the class of 1958. She was honored to serve as the Homecoming Queen in her senior year. Penny went on to attend Loretto Heights College in Denver. After graduation, she worked as a secretary for several years for one of the elected officials in the State of Wyoming Capital building. She left that position when she married as the rule at that time was only one state employee per family.

Penny married John Cole on December 30, 1961, in Cheyenne. They would spend the rest of their lives together in Cheyenne, raising their five children and participating in numerous community events, clubs, and organizations. Penny always listed her occupation as “homemaker,” and it was the perfect description for her. Penny made her home a welcome and safe place for her kids, their friends, and anyone else who crossed the threshold. To meet Penny was to be welcomed with kindness and love.

She was a fantastic cook, seamstress, and crafter. She sewed too many dresses and costumes to count, and helped make amazing Valentine boxes out of the most ordinary materials. She was a room mother, Cub Scout, Brownie, and Girl Scout leader. She could always be counted on to help in classroom, drive boys to baseball, or prepare treats for a 4-H meeting. She showed her love for her family by showing up each and every day: to games, horse shows, meetings, and anywhere else she was needed.

Penny was a lifetime member of Beta Sigma Phi International sorority, and enjoyed more than six decades of friendship and sisterhood. During her time in BSP, she chaired every committee, held every office, was chosen Sweetheart several times, and named Woman of the Year at least twice. Her sorority sisters were a second family, and her time in their company was one of her favorite memories.

Penny was a proud St. Mary’s Cathedral member (parishioner), singing in the high school choir and the adult choir while in high school) and serving on alter guild and in the choir. Penny was active in the Cathedral Guild and her Circle and served on the Guild’s board.) She also donated her time through Civic League, Buckle Club, the CFD Art Show, and the Red Hat Society. She accompanied John and supported his community service efforts without fail in the Jaycees, Cheyenne Frontier Days, Kiwanis, and the Fair Board. John may held the titles, but Penny was the glue that held it all together for him - wrangling kids, ironing shirts, keeping the schedule and running the household with a smile and grace, and still found time to play pinochle with the JayShees and other friends.

Penny and John enjoyed traveling and seeing new places, even traveling as far as Ireland with the church choir one year. But they always knew Cheyenne was home. You could often find them on Fridays in the summer on the golf course or in a restaurant in Cheyenne, laughing and celebrating with their large circle of friends. She would unabashedly regale anyone who would listen with stories about her kids and nine grandchildren.

Penny will be remembered for her tremendous kindness and generous spirit. She was a mom to her very core, loving not only her kids and grandkids, but also all their friends, as her own. Simply put, once you entered her home, you were hers and she would hold you in her heart forever.

Penny was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, her mother and husband John. She is survived by her five children: Debbie (Dave) Kyger of Colorado Springs, Colo; Sandy (Kyle) Hubbard of Odessa, Texas; Kathleen (Dieter) Bordner of Odessa, Texas; Bill Cole of Cheyenne; and Teresa (Ben) Milner of Yoder, Wyo. She is also survived by nine grandchildren: Nathan Hubbard, Dan Kyger, Lane (Kaity) Hubbard, Ellen (Alex Braum) Kyger, Ana Bordner, Cole Bordner, Matthew (Mikayla Harris) Cole, Marcus Cole, and Emily Milner; great-granddaughter Sora Hubbard; and her friend and sister in spirit of eighty years, Corky Fanning, as well as several nieces and nephews and cousins on the Smith side.

Cremation has taken place. A Rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 28, 2025 at Wiederspahn Radomsky Chapel. Funeral services will be held May 29, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s Cathedral.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to the Cheyenne Animal Shelter or St. Mary’s School in Penny’s name.