Matthew James Clement: 1979 – 2024
Matthew James Clement, born on April 10, 1979, in Laramie, Wyoming, passed away peacefully on January 4, 2024, at the age of 44. Matthew’s battle with alcoholism was a long and difficult one that he faced with courage and determination. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
Matthew grew up in Parker, Colorado, where he was surrounded by the love and support of his parents, Mike Clement and Alice (Barrett) Clement. From an early age, it was clear that Matthew possessed a kind soul and a genuine heart. His infectious laugh and charming smile had the power to brighten even the darkest days.
As a multitalented young man, he was a stellar athlete, excelling in soccer, baseball, basketball, and football, and even played the violin. After graduating from high school, Matthew embarked on his journey to Alaska. He found a loving home with Alice’s best friends, the Cronick family, in Anchorage. It was during this time that he began contract work as a Hazmat technician for the U.S. Department of Energy Superfund sites. Matthew’s work took him to the islands of Amchitka and Adak, where he served as part of their Hazardous Material Incident Response Team.
Later on, Matthew relocated to California to pursue his education in Business Administration and Management at Santa Barbara City College, alongside his younger sister, Kelin. He later joined Chesapeake Energy as a landman, in Pennsylvania and North Dakota, where his unique ability to connect with just about anyone on a personal level truly shined as he successfully negotiated mineral rights contracts with landowners and his employer. Matthew’s accomplishments were only surpassed by his compassion for others. He and his older brother, Ryan, later worked together as trainers and athlete analysts utilizing Dartfish Software Technology as a part of the Category Five Quarterback Camp in the Greater Denver Area.
On December 9, 2007, Matthew joyfully embraced the role of uncle when his beloved nephew Lane Ryan Clement was born to proud parents Ryan Michael and Ann Clement. He earned himself the endearing nickname “Unc” from Lane before being blessed with two more nieces: Holland Ellice and Caralie Rose.
Matthew had a special place in the hearts of all his cousins who adored him dearly. He held a special spot at every family gathering, spreading love and warmth throughout the room. His impact on everyone he encountered was immense, as he made each person feel welcome and loved. Matthew’s absence will be deeply felt, and his memory cherished.
Matthew James Clement was predeceased by his grandparents, Dr. Francis A. Barrett, Harriet Holland Barrett, Major James Clement, Dorothy McKeehan Clement, and Papa Tom Lane. He was also predeceased by his uncles, Jim Barrett and Joe Barrett, and Matthew’s dogs, Maverick, Murphy, and Scout.
He is survived by his devoted parents, James Michael Clement and Alice Catherine (Barrett) Clement. Matthew will forever be remembered by his brother Ryan (Ann) Clement of Cheyenne, Wyoming; his sister, Kelin (Sadie) of Joshua Tree, California; his nephew, Lane; along with nieces Holland and Caralie, and family dog, Princess.
Matthew leaves behind a circle of adoring family members and friends who will carry him in their hearts always. Among those grieving are his Barrett Uncles Larry, Mike, Francis, and Pat; his Clement Uncles Mark, Jeff, and John; aunts Mary (Barrett) Orton and Jana (Clement) Flynn; cousins Lisa Barrett-Oliver, Amy Martinez, Sean Barrett, Bridget Barrett, Hays Barrett, Nate Barrett, Eryn Bennett, PJ Barrett, Bryan Barrett, Shannon Barrett, Colleen Barrett, Reed Barrett, Nolan Padilla; Franke Monsalve; Andrew Garrett; Samantha Garrett; Amanda Orton; Kaley (Clement) Gaston; Kendall (Clement) Phillipi; Kate (Clement) Rosenquist; Kenzie Clement Kline; Kiera (Flynn) Epstien; Patrick Flynn; Kate Flynn; Mara Clement; Mattson Clement; Kaeden and Kennedy Clement.
Matthew James Clement will forever be remembered as a beautiful soul who brought light into the lives of all those around him. He taught us the power of compassion and touched our hearts with his unwavering love. Although he is no longer with us, his spirit will live on in our hearts, and may he find eternal peace.
Opal M. Hoppe: 1939 – 2023
Ms. Opal Mary Hoppe of Cheyenne, Wyoming passed away peacefully on December 29, 2023, after a short battle with cancer.
Opal was born in Lamar, Colorado on March 3, 1939, the fifth of six children of John and Fannie (“Dutch”) Hoppe (née Greenwood). Opal graduated from Lamar High School in 1957 and received her bachelor’s degree in Biology from Bethany Nazarene College in 1961. Following a year of Medical School in Denver, Opal worked as a soil analyst for the University of Wyoming while seeking her teaching credentials. She taught science in Holyoke, Colorado as well as Encampment and Meeteetse in Wyoming. Upon leaving teaching, Opal moved with her sister Lucille and their mother to Hot Springs, South Dakota where she worked in a nursing home until moving to Cheyenne, Wyoming. After a variety of jobs, always striving to find new and better work challenges, Opal found herself employed at the F.E. Warren Air Force Base library. After obtaining her Masters in Psychology, Opal transitioned from the library to the Education Office, and worked her way up to the head of the department, a position she held until she retired.
Opal was a very generous and caring person and dedicated much of her life to caring for others. She and her sister Lucille resided with and cared for their mother until her passing in 1984. Opal and her sister Lucille shared a home in Cheyenne until Lucille’s passing in 2009. Opal’s nephew Derik Hale, wife Penelope and their children, Jeremiah and Molly, shared a home in Cheyenne with Opal until Opal’s passing.
Opal enjoyed road trips, picnics, camping, bird watching (especially hummingbirds), small dogs, and had tried her hand at a variety of crafts from sewing and suncatchers to crocheting. She greatly enjoyed spending time at the Trueblood family cabin in the Snowy Range, where she was an invaluable participant in many home canning exploits. Above all, Opal was an avid reader enjoying (and collecting) many, many books from various genres, even cookbooks. She believed that no room was complete without a bookcase and bird feeders were necessary for any window’s view. She volunteered at the Cheyenne public library and was a regular patron of the Albany County Public Library. She was also a generous supporter of several charities that championed causes for children, nature, and Christ.
Opal was proceeded in death by her parents and her siblings: John, Lucille, and Oliver “Bud” Hoppe. Opal is survived by her sisters, Audene Trueblood and Pat Hale; Pat’s husband, Connley; nine nieces and nephews and their spouses; and a batch of grand-nieces-and-nephews
A memorial service in celebration of her life will be held at noon on January 20 at SonRise Church of the Nazarene 2811 E. 13th St. in Cheyenne. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, a favorite picture or memory be sent to honor Opal Hoppe.
Patricia Hughes-Piper: 1974 – 2023
Patricia (Patti) Ann Hughes-Piper, 49, passed away on December 22, 2023 in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Patti was born on June 25, 1974, to Thomas and Sheila Hughes.
Patti is survived by her husband, Robert Piper and her stepdaughter, Kathryn Piper; her parents; her brothers, Dennis and Thomas Hughes; her sister, Noreen Trenchard; her niece, Caitie Nastri and her nephew Ryan Jones; numerous cousins, aunts, uncles and other members of her large Irish family. She is preceded in death by her beloved nephew, Jaimie Hughes.
Patti dedicated her life to healing the afflicted and bringing comfort to those in need. After graduating from high school, Patti obtained her Certificate in Licensed Practical Nursing from Bay Path University in Longmeadow, Massachusetts. She began her career as a nurse on the East Coast before striking out on her next big adventure by relocating to Denver, Colorado. There, she continued her career, providing in-home care for severely ill and medically complex pediatric patients.
In 2011, Patti met Kathryn and Robert, and together they relocated to Hanna, Wyoming. Patti continued both her career and her education in Wyoming, and obtained her Registered Nursing Certification in 2014. While in Wyoming, Patti provided care for the least fortunate among us, including inmates of the Wyoming Department of Corrections and residents of elder care facilities in Rawlins, Laramie and Cheyenne. She as well provided a life and home to her husband and stepdaughter. Patti passed on what she had learned in her nearly 20 year long career while employed as the Director of Nursing at a Cheyenne, Wyoming elder care facility. Always seeking new opportunities to serve and to grow professionally, Patti took a position as an Intensive Care Nurse in 2023.
While Patti dedicated her professional life to comforting the afflicted, she also made it her personal mission to afflict the comfortable. A lifelong Democrat, Patti actively participated in national and local politics and was a longtime member of Daily Kos. She attended the annual Netroots Nation gathering, and frequently connected with her Daily Kos family virtually. Her fellow Kossacks will miss her dearly.
A Celebration of Life is planned for June 25, 2024 at Jones Beach in Long Island, New York. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully suggests donations in Patti’s name to the Black Dog Animal Rescue (https://www.bdar.org/).
Susan Weingardt: 1955 – 2024
Susan J. Weingardt (née Muhm), 68, passed away in Cheyenne on Thursday, January 4 after a long illness.
She had lived in Cheyenne since 2005. She was a longtime parishioner of St. Mary’s Cathedral and worked at Laramie County Library. Sue was born and raised in Denver, Colorado and graduated from Colorado State University School of Business in 1977.
She is survived by her beloved husband of 45 years, Richard (Rick) Weingardt of Cheyenne, and their children: Amy (and Toby) Toland of Reno Nevada; John (and Katie) Weingardt of Palisade, Colorado; Daniel (and Jenn) Weingardt of Aurora, Colorado; Christopher Weingardt of Cheyenne; and Patrick Weingardt of Cheyenne. Sue was the proud grandmother of Shealyn, Caden, and Gavin Toland of Reno, Nevada. Sue is also survived by her sister, Kathy Muhm of Somerset, New Jersey,; and brother, Bishop Bill Muhm of Rockville, Maryland. In lieu of flowers, donations will be gratefully accepted for the Cheyenne Knights of Columbus Council # 801 kitchen renovation project.
Betty Whitney Wood: 1929 – 2024
Betty Whitney Wood, 94, of Cheyenne, died on January 4, 2024 in Cheyenne.
She was born on September 20, 1929 in Iola, Kansas.
Betty Wood had a degree in music from Oklahoma College for Women and was a Third Order Franciscan.
She was a member of St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church. She traveled extensively around the world.
Betty is survived by a son, Paul (June), of Cheyenne; a daughter, Joanna Leeke (Martin) of Ft Collins, Colorado; four grandchildren; and five great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Robert Whitney in 1962; her second husband, Robert Wood, in 1993; and a son, Brian in 2022.
Services will be Friday, 10:00 a.m., at St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church.
She has requested any memorial contributions be made to St Christopher’s Episcopal Church, 2602 Deming Blvd, Cheyenne, Wyoming 82001.
