Lynnann Mitchell

With a deep and abiding love, her husband - Jim, their son - Matthew, together with family and friends share with you today passing from this life of Lynnann Keeley Mitchell, Tuesday evening, October 22, 2013. It was her 58th birthday and marked the 33rd year since their son, Matthew was born. She is missed family not only by Jim and Matt, but also, Jim's mother, Joan "Jo" Mitchell, Jim's brother - David, and his wife Lanette, cousins Candy & Ken Deemer, and Karen & Frank Bollinger and so many others. There's always been a "pounder" in their home; and the pups Bruno and Daisy still wait for her to come home. Her parents, J.O 'Red' and Erma-Gene Keeley and her father-in-law, Charles Mitchell were not here when she left us Tuesday night; each had, in their own time, gone ahead of her. Adopted at birth, Lynnann would continue throughout her life to "adopt" others into her heart, widening the circle she called 'family'. Her overflowing love that encircled and drew others in is testimony to how her parents taught her what 'adopting' truly means. Growing up in Gallup, New Mexico she often spent summers at Jackson Lake Lodge, where her love for the Tetons grew with each year and throughout her life. As a child, her parents opened a jewelry shop, selling pieces her father had purchased while working part-time on the rail road. Even though years passed, Lynnann would remember that little shop in detail. Last summer she, Jim and Matt traveled to Gallup and found it still there. How amazing it was that she could not only revisit a part of her childhood, but also share it with her husband and son. In 1969 her family moved to Cody, Wyoming and it was there she met Jim Mitchell at the Canyon Cafeteria. He was bussing tables. As the story goes, both sets of parents had more or less "arranged" for the meeting and encouraged the courting thereafter. They were freshman and would remain together throughout high school, college and a lifetime thereafter. Lynnann was on the drill team, Jim was a basketball player - and they learned early on how much their lives would circle around the other. It is amusing to note that both could tell you their first date was January 27th. Looking back over 34 years of marriage, their life together could best be summed up by one year - 1980. A baby on the way, buying a home, Jim's grandfather's death and followed by his admission to the bar, her father's death, Matt's birth in October and his coming home from the hospital in November and then Christmas in their own home. The pattern of ups and downs, highs and lows, ease and difficulty would continue, and yet they would learn to face each knowing there was another side to come. How does one define Lynnann? She had a passion for Matt, for relationships, however brief. Customers would purposefully come to the pharmacy on days she worked, because they were more than just customers to her. She loved retail, probably learning through observation as a little girl in that small jewelry shop. She truly loved being an independent retail pharmacist, interacting with people. She would save birthday money for years until she found the "right" thing. She loved to laugh and carried her own with the "Mitchell Family Humor", and she frequently said "don't let your guard down". She loved the theatre, from high school on she was recognized for her lead and supportive roles in productions like Hansel and Gretel and Auntie Mame. As Matt grew older she worked behind the scenes, working with him in his role in One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest . She was proud to be a supporter of the Cheyenne Little Theatre. Sitting in their living room in a box is the unfinished Pink Panther costume she was making for Matt this year. She loved birthdays and holidays and any reason to gather family together. Lynnann liked to read, especially the writings of Tom Clancy. She loved watching anything James Bond or Pink Panther, 'The Cosby Show', 'the Middle', Dancing with the Stars', 'The Amazing Race' and 'Castle'. She enjoyed the mountains the most, and 'put up with' the trailer, after all there was no color tv and half the time she couldn't get reception. She loved the symphony, but Jim, on the other hand, 'put up with' it. Both acquiesced in time. Lynnann's life was lived out and not in. She, Jim and Matt worked at the COMEA shelter and were heavily involved with the Special Olympics family and events. She is part of the St. Peter's Church family, serving on the Altar Guild and COMEA. The essence of who Lynnann Mitchell is - and was - cannot be written in so brief a piece. We have shared with you her life, her family, her love and likes. One more piece needs be written in telling the rest of her story. Unknowingly It was to be their last Monday night together. She and Jim had an hour before Matt's bus returned from a day in Blackhawk. So the 'children' who fell in love in 9th grade, who grew up into adulthood, did the best thing they could think of: they 'dragged Main'. Laughing and talking, driving up and down the streets of 'downtown' Cheyenne, looking at the businesses, what is, what was ... arriving back for one last kiss before the bus pulled up. We appreciate your taking the time to read about Lynnann. We'd like to think in some way, just these few words find meaning or purpose in your own life, and the lives around you. Life is always much shorter than we think. The family will have a visitation Sunday from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Schrader Funeral Home . Funeral service will be on Monday at 2:00 p.m. at the St. Peter's Anglican Church. Interment will follow in Beth El Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy in memory of Lynnann may be made to Arc of Laramie County, 1302 Crook Ave., Cheyenne, WY, 82001 or Special Olympics of Wyoming, 232 East 2nd Street, Suite 201, Casper, WY, 826012.

Service

Monday, October 28, 2013 2:00pm

St. Peter's Anglican Church

252 Dell Range Blvd

CHEYENNE, WY 82009

Interment

Beth El Cemetery

Pershing and Seymour Ave.

CHEYENNE, WY 82001

Reception

St. Peter's Anglican Church

252 Dell Range Blvd

CHEYENNE, WY 82009