Veronica Jolene (aka) Punky Pendleton Bocek passed away on Dec. 6, 2019 at her home in Gillette, WY of heart failure.

Punky came into this world to parents Joe and Evelyn Bocek in Feb. 16, 1951, in Sheridan, WY. She grew up in Sheridan, attended school in Sheridan and graduated high school in 1969. She then went on to college later and received a bachelor’s degree in psycology. Punky has two beautiful daughters Amy (Dean) Thompson and Amber (Donovan) Barton, 7 grandchildren, Paton, Kyler, Myles, Rahkiya, Isaiah, Brooklin and Keonna, and a new baby boy on the way.

She was proceeded in passing by her parents, step Dad Rich Barbula and brother Jimmy Barbula, and Grandma Ella McVay.

Surviving sisters Sherry (Bob) Legerski, Sheridan, WY, Diana (Lynn) Folda and Barbara Connely all of Gillette, brother Joe (Cathy) Bocek of Oregan and sister Lorraine Shaw of Sheridan. She also leaves behind lots of nieces, nephews and cousins. She also leaves behind special friend; life long and beloved friend Jackie Newman, Sheridan, Grandma Lee of Colrado Springs, CO, Libby Bartlett and Bob Wensel of Gillette. Punky had a very fondness for her Aunt Corky Bailey, Uncle Don and Aunt Dorathy Horsley, Uncle Louis and Great Grandma Barbara Nussbacker of Dutch Creek, and she loved and adored her Grandma Ella McVay of Buffalo, WY. Punky was also fond of her son in laws Donovan and Dean and loved her sister Sherry with her whole heart. She only wanted the best for her Granddaughter Rahkiya, Punky was very close to her. She was also fond of Isaiah her Grandson, who does excellent in sports . And fond of Kyler, who is serving in the military for our country. Her fondness was always focused on her family, sticking together. Punky also had a special fondness for niece Tyra and Tim and niece Lisa Heagney.

“Punky” got this name from her Uncle Charley when she was little and it stuck. Punky was a highly intelligent woman, she was highly blessed and loved her God in Heaven, her children, Grandchildren and friends.

Punky often said, “I am my mother’s Daughter,” and believe me she was. She loved her mother deeply and her mother taught her well.

Punky was a Jack of all trades, there wasn’t anything she couldn’t do and willing to challenge it. Punky was administrator director of an adoption agency out of Vietnam. She and her sister Barbara ran this agency. They placed many babies out of the orphanage into homes. She loved that too. Punky was also a substitute teacher of all grades, but special needs kids she loved doing the best. She liked working with the kids to make a difference for them. Punky always looked forward to Summer so she and sister Barbara could go yard selling. She so enjoyed that.

Writing this farewell to you hasn’t been easy for me my dear sister, Friend, Confidant, and my Brubbest, I had to collect my thoughts before I could pick up this pen and write. Thank you for all the wonderful memories of our childhood into adulthood, to the time of your departure, 69 years to be exact. The bond that we shared that only belongs to us. I am lost without you, Lorraine, and I will forever love you.

“Love your family now, while you can, send them Roses to show you care, because time waits for no one.”

The Sheridan Press - Jan. 15, 2020.