(April 27, 1969- March 29, 2025)

Jeannette Lee Haywood, of Cheyenne, WY, went to be with the Lord on March 29, 2025, at the age of 55, following an unexpected health event. She was a devoted daughter, supportive mother, loving partner, dedicated teacher, and true and loyal friend.

Jeannette was born April 27, 1969 in Greeley, CO, to loving parents Barb and Wes Haywood; the second born of three children. She had a special relationship with her father growing up and often shared memories of him teaching her to be strong and independent, as well as how to fight and land a punch. He also instilled her love for hunting and fishing. Jeannette also cherished time outdoors with her mother, who also taught her to garden, can produce, sew and cook.

Jeannette spent much of her childhood fishing, camping and enjoying all-things animal. She became involved in 4-H and FFA, where she put her sewing lessons to use in fashion, and began her life-long love for horses and livestock. She raised and showed chickens, ducks, rabbits, and steers, along with her horses, and at one point owned over 100 rabbits.

Jeannette attended several elementary schools in Wyoming and Colorado, before her family settled down in Riverton, Wyoming. She attended Riverton Middle School and graduated from Riverton High School in 1987. In Jeannette’s own terms, she was involved in, “High School Rodeo, FFA, Partyin’ and Skippin’” during these years.

Pursuing her passion of early education, Jeannette enrolled in the College of Education at the University of Wyoming (UW), in Laramie, WY, in the fall of 1988, and graduated with her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education in May of 1993. While studying at UW, Jeannette held various jobs from working at Mingle’s Lounge to being a veterinary technician for Doc Allen, in Laramie. Jeannette began her professional teaching career at Rawlins Middle School, transferring the following year to Spring Creek Elementary (in Albany County School District #1), where she enjoyed teaching Title 1 Reading for the next 15 years.

In 2015, Jeannette moved to Cheyenne, WY, and began teaching Special Needs Education for Laramie County School District #1 in 2016. She was currently teaching at Gilcrest Elementary School, in Cheyenne. Jeannette’s calm nature and steadfast consistency, along with her abilities to be resourceful, adaptable and intuitive made her an exceptional teacher. She positively impacted the lives of countless students, was an educational pillar for those with learning disabilities and fostered individual growth in each of her students.

Jeannette and her ex-husband, Joey Christensen, raised two amazing sons together, Chance and Kyle Christensen. Jeannette’s boys were her absolute pride and joy.  She was very dedicated to their education and upbringing and actively volunteered in their activities, some of which included: Laramie Jubilee Days Horse Shows, 4-H, FFA (where they raised and showed chickens, pigs, sheep and steers), soccer, wrestling, and high school rodeo. Jeannette took special joy in all of her boys’ activities and was very much looking forward to her oldest son, Chance, marrying the love of his life this summer.

Jeannette met her life-partner, Dale Hockley, in 2015, and together they built a life that they loved.  Dale and Jeannette loved traveling and living a life of adventure together. Jeannette was especially fond of attending the Pendleton Round Up, in Pendleton, OR, and the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) in Las Vegas, NV, along with trips to Belize and Cabo… or really, anywhere she could be near the ocean and out of the Wyoming cold and wind. One fast and furious weekend, Jeannette and Dale made last-minute plans to fly to Las Vegas, NV (for less than 24-hours), to see the Eagles in concert and were back the next morning in order to attend a wedding in Nebraska that evening. 

Jeannette loved horses – all horses. They gave her a certain peace and freedom and no equine could resist her quiet demeanor or special scratches. They either melted in her arms like butter… or took on her attitude. She spent much of her free time helping with horse related events from halter breaking foals at Bath Brothers Ranch every summer, to PRCA rodeos and chariot races. She was a loyal volunteer of Cheyenne Frontier Days (CFD), the “Daddy of ‘em All”, and spent many years working with youth rodeo volunteers, known as “TOES”, as well as the PRCA and CFD Junior barrel racing events.

In Jeannette’s down time, she looked forward to unwinding in the “covey” she and Dale created in the barn at their home with her horses and dogs. They shared many good times (and good drinks) there with family and friends. She also loved spending time at the lake, often on her pontoon boat.

Although a less than average life span, Jeannette did not live an average life. She traveled where she wanted to travel, learned what she wanted to learn, laughed every chance she had, and loved who she wanted to love with her whole heart. She was not afraid to take life by the horns, conquer her fears, or live life to the fullest. She was genuine to a fault, and yet sugar coated nothing. You could always count on Jeannette to tell you the truth, even if it wasn’t what you wanted to hear. She was not afraid to voice her opinion and had a knack for telling it like it is. Jeannette expected those she loved to live with accountability and integrity as well. She was the most loyal of friends and had no use for drama or gossip. She lived her life demonstrating that you are never too old to set another goal or dream a new dream. Her outlook on life, strength and perseverance brought many people hope during their darkest of times.

In keeping with her loving and charitable spirit, Jeanette’s final selfless act was to restore life’s promise for many families in need through her generous gifts of organ donations.

Jeannette is survived by her two sons, Chance Christensen (Elana TerAvest) and Kyle Christensen (Sarah Pachl), her mother, Barb Haywood, partner, Dale Hockey, many cousins, aunts, and uncles who will never forget the love and strength she brought to their lives. She also leaves behind her beloved animals: Allie, Latte, and Biff (horses), Duke, Kate, Reba and Olle (dogs).

She is preceded in death by her father, Wesley Kent Haywood, sister, Michelle Lynn Haywood, brother, Forrest Wayne Haywood and grandparents on both sides of the family.

Jeannette was one of a kind and touched the lives of countless family and friends. To be in her circle was to be truly blessed. A Celebration of Life will be held from 2-5 pm, Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Albany County Fairgrounds in Laramie, Wyoming.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Jeannette Haywood Memorial, at UniWyo Credit Union, 2020 Grand Ave #100, Laramie, WY 82070, to support the Education Systems in Wyoming’s Albany and Laramie County school districts.