Faye Ridenour

Faye Elizabeth Ridenour died August 2nd at St. John's Living Center in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Faye was born in Sundance, Wyoming May 3rd, 1921 the first of four children born to Leonard and Leta Johnson on their ranch. The family later moved to Russell Kansas, where Faye graduated from High School at age 15. She moved to Omaha, Nebraska where she married J. Warren DeFrance. They had two children, Deniece and Jerry. Faye owned and operated a beauty shop for some time, and then became a bookkeeper and office manager. She later married Ray Ridenour, and they made their home in Omaha, then Ponca City Oklahoma and Kearney, Nebraska, where they were innkeepers, before they retired and returned to Omaha. She moved to Jackson Hole in 2008 to be near her son Jerry and his family. She was a resident of the River Rock Lodge for two years, and very recently moved to St. John's Living Center.

Faye was a voracious reader, active investor, super cook, a talented seamstress, and loved lawnwork and flowers. She worked every crossword puzzle available for years, and enjoyed playing cards. She was known for twinkly blue eyes, and a quick sense of humor. She enjoyed good conversation, and preferred to have it with beer (but it had to be served in a glass), or champagne. She was proud of her Wyoming heritage, and her grandfather, the Hon. Enoch Cummings, served in the Wyoming legislature. She also was proud of her adopted state of Nebraska, and of being an Admiral in the Nebraska Navy. She was a long-term member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary.

Faye's two children provided her with three wonderful granddaughters, Audra DeFrance Gilman(Brian), Lisa Holderness (Jerry Smith), and Heidi Perreault and two great grandsons, Sam Perreault and Stuart Holderness. Her son Jerry and his wife Pat continue to make their home in Jackson, and her daughter Deni Angiolilli lives in W. Warwick, Rhode Island. Faye survived her parents, all three of her siblings, both husbands and many friends.

There was a small memorial service at River Rock Lodge, and burial will be at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Omaha, Nebraska. Arrangements were by Valley Mortuary. Memorial donations may be made to St. John's Living Center, Box 428, Jackson WY 83001 in memory of Faye E. Ridenour.

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