Fay J Symons passed away peacefully on Saturday, 18 February, 2012 at the Billings Clinic in Montana at the age of 86. A clipping she posted to her refrigerator is a fitting tribute to her life of service; "We exist temporarily through what we take, but we live forever through what we give." Author unknown,

When Fay was three years old, Gilbert and Imogene Jackson moved their family from Roundup, Montana to Sheridan where she found her lifelong home in the community and the United Methodist Church.

After graduating from Sheridan High School, she studied journalism for one year at the University of Missouri before returning home to marry Floyd Elmgren. When he fell victim to polio, Fay returned again to Sheridan as a widow with three young children.

Soon after, Ed Symons also returned home from the Korean Conflict. The two rekindled a high school friendship that bloomed into six decades of love and partnership. The new family soon expanded with the birth of two more children.

What began with support for her children's activities and organizations became an enduring commitment to education, fellowship and community. She led 4-H clubs, taught Sunday School, served as church trustee and committee member, helped raise funds to construct the YMCA then engaged as the business manager for 30 years, hosted foreign exchange students, served multiple terms on Senator Alan Simpson's Military Academy selection committee.

After actively campaigning in support of candidates for local, state and federal office, Fay ran successfully for the Northern Wyoming College District board of trustees, a position she was privileged to hold for 20 years. Her dedication and professionalism as a board member led to being actively recruited for other organizations. These included the Sheridan College Foundation, Northeast Wyoming Board of Cooperative Educational Services, Sheridan Johnson Area Community Foundation, Sheridan County Historical Society, Wyoming Community College Trustees Association, Sheridan Tripartite Board and the Volunteer Opportunity Network.

"You may not be able to help the whole world, but you can make a difference in your own community." Elizabeth P. Carter. Fay embodied the ability to do so with perseverance, grace and humility.

Fay is survived by: Edgar W Symons, husband, Carl (Darley) Symons, Bellingham WA, son, Curt Symons, Sheridan WY, son, Bob (Rita) Symons, Cheyenne WY, son, Gail Symons, Pewaukee WI, daughter, Byron Elmgren, Sheridan WY, brother-in-law Shirley (Clarence) Snelling, Denver CO, sister, Kenneth (Jean Coffman) Jackson, Honolulu HI, brother, Carol (Rich) Dau, Sheridan WY, sister, Irene Jackson, Sheridan WY, sister-in-law, eight grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren.

Preceded in death by: her parents, Floyd Elmgren, husband, Valerie and Jim Pohlhammer, daughter and son-in-law, Edgar Symons, grandson, Christopher "Kitt" Schirmer, great grandson and Henry "Shorty" Jackson, brother.

A Visitation will be from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm on Friday, 24 February at Kane Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be at 2:00 pm on Saturday, 25 February, at the First United Methodist Church of Sheridan. A reception will follow in the church Fellowship Hall.

In lieu of flowers Memorials can be made to the First United Methodist Church of Sheridan, 215 W. Works, Sheridan, WY 82801 or to Sheridan Johnson Community Foundation, 313 S. 2nd , Laramie, WY 82070.

Online condolences may be written at www.kanefuneral.com.

Kane Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.

The Sheridan Press - February 22, 2012.