Niki McGlathery

The bright flame of life flickered out for Niki McGlathery on March 10, 2016, after a long battle with primary progressive aphasia. She was 75. Niki was born April 5, 1940, in San Angelo, Texas, to Ethel and C. Minter McGlathery. After graduating from Cheyenne High School in 1957, her life led her to homes in Minnesota, California, Wisconsin and finally back to her home in Wyoming. Her warm, ready smile, and vibrant personality won friends wherever she happened to be. She was a competitive athlete, who played tennis, table tennis, volleyball, and sharp-elbowed basketball. She piloted a hang-glider through the 1970s and later took up tai chi and Chinese boxing (leaving more than one twenty-something dazed). She was never one to sit out a dance. She learned from her dear sister Phyllis' coaching and a short course at an Arthur Murray Studio with 8th grade classmates, until her last week when a country band played at the managed care home....she danced. In 1970, Niki was employed by Sperry Univac as a typist. By the time she retired, 25 years later, she was promoted to project manager for large U.S. Navy contracts. Her co-workers became life-long friends. Niki's true passion, however, was her work as an environmental activist, serving as a founding board member of a Wisconsin environmental organization, advising the public of sound environmental practices for a world that could be passed on to her grandchildren and their grandchildren. Niki found special joy in her volunteer service to the Laramie County Library, Stride Learning Center, helping youngsters with their reading challenges, and delivering Meals on Wheels in Cheyenne. She treasured the friendships that followed from her service. Niki McGlathery and husband, Alan Johnson, have resided in Cheyenne for 13 years after finding one another at their 50th high school reunion. Niki leaves behind her husband, Alan; her brother, Monte McGlathery (Pat); her son, Peter Hoppmann (Ann); her daughter, Kelli Hoppmann; her stepdaughters, Janet Stewart (Mark) and Jill Johnson Mani (Kumaran). She was preceded by her parents and sister, Phyllis Nicosia. Her grandchildren, August, Evelyn, Mark, Henry, Walter, Benjamin and Wynston, will miss the grandmother they knew and loved. Niki McGlathery was a force of nature who will be greatly missed. A funeral service will be conducted on Saturday, March 19, 2016, at 10:00 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church with Pastor Duane Ferchen officiating. An interment service will follow at Lakeview Cemetery. Condolences may be offered to the family on-line by going to www.schradercares.com. Funeral arrangements are under the care of Schrader, Aragon and Jacoby Funeral Home, Cheyenne.

Service

Saturday, March 19, 2016 10:00am

First Presbyterian Church

220 W. 22nd St,.

CHEYENNE, WY 82001

Interment

Lakeview Cemetery

Pershing Blvd

CHEYENNE, WY 82001