Shirley L. Cochrane: 1948 – 2024
Shirley L. Cochrane, formerly known as Shirley Porter, was born on July 11, 1948, in San Angelo, Texas. A beloved wife and devoted mother, Shirley passed away peacefully on December 20, 2024, in Cheyenne, Wyoming, leaving behind cherished memories that will forever be held close by her family and friends.
Shirley lived a life filled with love and commitment to her family. She is survived by her loving husband, Steve Cochrane, and her cherished daughter, Lisa. Together, they created a warm and nurturing home where laughter and joy flourished.
Shirley was preceded in death by her beloved parents, John Gardner Porter and Lola Naomi (Lummus) Porter, who instilled in her the values of kindness, compassion, and resilience. Their legacy lives on through Shirley’s own family, as she embodied the love and spirit they imparted to her.
As we remember Shirley, we honor her remarkable life, a life characterized by unwavering dedication to her loved ones and the happiness she brought to those who knew her. Her presence will be deeply missed, but her memory will remain eternally in the hearts of all who had the privilege to know her.
Melanie Kay Palluck: 1945 – 2024
Melanie Kay Palluck, 79, of Cheyenne, died on December 22, 2024 in Cheyenne.
She was born on November 4, 1945 in Sheridan, Wyoming.
Melanie graduated from Cheyenne East High in 1964 then went to a three-year nursing training at Walther Memorial Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. Melanie then worked more than 35 years at Memorial Hospital of Laramie County/UMC, mostly in surgery then in labor and delivery as a registered nurse. When she retired, she continued doing caretaking by working at Biolife in the child care room. Later she did that same child care at the fitness center near her former home on Amherst.
Melanie served as the “coffee lady” with a friend at Trinity Lutheran Church on 22nd and Duff for several years, setting up the coffee and service area, and doing clean-up afterward. She also took charge of much of the recycling for Trinity Lutheran School. Melanie created handwritten cookbooks with favorite recipes, giving them away to new church members and other people she met.
She is survived by a daughter, Brenda Mitchell (Jim) of Burns; four grandchildren: Clair in California, Dylan (Sarah) in Illinois, Eldon (Kendall) in Ohio, and Frances (Sam) of Cheyenne; as well as three great-grandchildren, Matthew, Esther, and Tucker; two sisters, Judy Christensen (Sam) of Riverton, Wyoming, and Sarah Trowbridge of Edmond, Oklahoma; sister-in-law, Aloha Hart of Coupeville, WA; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Melanie was preceded in death by her parents, M.L. and Iris Hart; son, Shawn Patrick O’Guin; husband, Dean Palluck; two brothers and two sisters.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church & School in Cheyenne. Services will be announced at a later date.
