GILLETTE -- At her request, no services are planned for Gillette resident Mary Jeanette Kinniard, 80, who died peacefully on Dec. 17, 2004, with her family by her side.

Born Dec. 14, 1924, in Fort Saskatchewan, Canada, she was the daughter of James and Mary (Hamilton) Culver; and, as a child, moved with the family to homestead on Piney Creek. She was raised and educated in the area and graduated from Sheridan High School, where she was a cheerleader.

During World War II, she moved to Casper and was a civilian employee secretary at Casper Air Force Base. She also was a secretary for various oil companies in Casper and Billings, Mont.

On Nov. 14, 1947, she married Robert Kinniard in Casper.

After moving to Montana, she began 30 years of employment with First Bank of Billings as a secretary. Eventually, she was named vice president of human resources and remained in that position until her retirement. She and her husband moved to Gillette in 1998 to be closer to their daughter and granddaughters.

She loved traveling, dancing, cooking, sewing and crocheting, and working word-find puzzles. An avid gardener, she hated dandelions with a passion. Her favorite pastime was spending time with her granddaughters.

Survivors include her husband of 57 years, daughter, Paula Degnan, and her husband, two granddaughters, and a great-grandson, all of Gillette; and sister, Frances Kennedy of Casper.

She was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, Alberta Schilling and Jean Todd.

Memorials to the Alzheimer's Foundation may be sent in care of Stevenson-Wilson Funeral Home, 210 W. Fifth St., Gillette, WY 82716.