Susan ‘Sue’ Marie Cochran passed peacefully surrounded by loved ones at Hospice of the Valley in Phoenix, Arizona, on February 6, 2024.
Sue was born June 17, 1958, in Wheatland, the second daughter of Glendal and Betty (Wright) Cochran. Sue and her three siblings began school in Platte County before moving to Goshen County, where Sue graduated from Torrington High School in 1976. She graduated from Chadron State College in 1980, earning her Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education and Biological Sciences. Sue began her 41-year career as a public educator as a junior high science and high school psychology teacher in Gordon, Nebraska, for four years before returning to Wyoming. In July 1984, Sue welcomed her life’s greatest pride and joy, her daughter, Erin, stepping into her most important role as a single working mother. Through the generous support of Sue’s friends and family, she was able to resume her career in public education in 1987 as a special educator at St. Joseph’s Children’s Home in Torrington, a residential psychiatric treatment facility for youth. Sue remarked many times over the years how indelible this experience was. It lead her to pursue a Master’s in Special Education, and work as a high-needs special educator for the remainder of her career, working at Libbey Elementary and Wheatland High School in Wheatland, before retiring from Platte County Public School District after 22 years of service. Upon early retirement in Wyoming, Sue moved to the southwest desert to enjoy warmer winters as she finished her career in public education, working with high-needs high school students in the Tolleson and Glendale Union High School districts in Arizona. Sue was a diehard member of the Democratic Party and a proud lifelong member of the National Education Association, recounting her time as a leader with the Platte County Education Association and the Wyoming Education Association as some of the most memorable years of her career. Sue was passionate about ensuring the success of all students and equally as passionate about ensuring the success of her colleagues in public education.
There were few things Sue loved more than spending time with her family and friends, especially playing card games, chatting over iced tea on the cabin porch swing, and enjoying various arts and crafts together. Despite her obstinate objections, Sue was an artist. She had calligraphy-like penmanship and a keen artistic eye, inherited from her mother, bringing her unique flair to all projects she set her sights on. Through the curiosity and passion for lifelong learning instilled by her father, Sue explored many hobbies and interests, including pottery, cross stitching, woodworking, crocheting, scrapbooking, ceramic painting, and many other odd arts and crafts in between. She loved tending to her gardens and many indoor plants and spent most summers and weekends at the family cabin near Laramie Peak. As a biology teacher, she loved all living creatures, including a wide variety of classroom pets ranging from guinea pigs to iguanas, and she had the pleasure of enjoying time spent with many beloved family pets throughout the decades.
Left to share the memories of her quick wit, generous spirit, endless talents, and incomparable humor are her daughter, Erin Cochran, of Phoenix, Arizona, sister Marilyn (Bob) Shoemaker of Wheatland, brother Steven Cochran of Yuma, Arizona, brother Michael Cochran of Riverton, niece Becky Boersma (Scott), niece Anne Petroski (Gregory “Bubba”) all of Wheatland, nephew Ryan Shoemaker (Sahala) of Laramie, niece Laura Faulkner (Daryl) of Mobile, Alabama, and niece April Cochran of Casper, as well as her “adopted sister” Joni Burd (Valen) of Phoenix, Arizona; and many beloved cousins, great niece, great nephews, and wonderful friends she cherished along the way.
After several years of health complications, Sue joins in heaven her parents, grandparents, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Instead of flowers, the family requests donations in her memory be sent to the NEA Foundation to improve public education (neafoundation.org/donate/), to Laramie Peak Fire Zone #9 (laramiepeakfirezone.org), or that you invest in experiences with loved ones to build lasting memories.
A graveside service will be held at Wheatland Cemetery on Friday, June 14th, at 2:00 pm, with a gathering to follow at Lewis Park, with light refreshments. A separate celebration of life and tree dedication ceremony will be held on Saturday, June 15th, at 2:00 pm, at the Cochran Cabin, 193 U.S. Forest Service Road #633, Wheatland, WY, 82201. Please bring your own chair(s); food and beverages will be provided.
