Mary Jane Hope

Mary Jane Hills Henning Hope, 90, completed her final shift change on May 4, 2026. Mary Jane, as she was known, was born in San Bernardino, CA on April 9, 1936. She was the youngest child of Ralph Keith Hills and Lois Nancy Grimes. Her father introduced a young Mary Jane to McDonald’s which began the longest love affair of Mary Jane’s life. Mary Jane spent part of her childhood at the La Grulla Gun Club in Ensenada, Mexico; she loved to tell stories of her time there especially when Clark Gable and Carole Lombard were some of the regulars.

As a young California girl, she was smitten by a young GI from Iowa. Through some help from a family friend who may have fudged a little on the required forms she and Ernest Shaffer Henning were married on July 1, 1954. Being a military family, they moved around a lot so their four children were born in different locations—France, California, Alaska, and Florida. The fairy tale didn’t last, and Ernie and Mary Jane divorced.

Mary Jane, a polio survivor, was inspired by the nurses who took care of her and in 1972 she was a member of the first cohort of LPN graduates from Laramie County Community College. Little did Mary Jane know that she would begin a nursing tradition as a granddaughter became a nurse (graduating from LCCC); another granddaughter is completing her nursing degree at LCCC; and a great-granddaughter is completing her nursing degree in Alabama. Along with completing her nursing degree, Mary Jane tied the knot a second time to Charles H. Hope, Jr.

Mary Jane began her nursing career working at Memorial Hospital (now called Cheyenne Regional Medical Center). Her career continued through private nursing for her favorite patient, Gracie. Mary Jane also worked in Houston, Texas. Mary Jane completed her nursing career at the Veteran’s Home in Buffalo, Wyoming.

After retiring she and her second husband, travelled and settled in Mesquite, Nevada. After the death of her second husband, Mary Jane enjoyed the companionship of Ken Koziba. Mary Jane was involved with Eastern Star, volunteered at the Salvation Army, and worked part time in Mesquite casinos. Mary Jane’s personality shined through in a multitude of ways. When asked “Mom, do you need anything?” She would answer “a million dollars!” Her kids were never able to wrangle that up for her, but it didn’t stop her from asking.

Mesquite allowed Mary Jane to imbibe in one of her favorite activities—the penny slots and Keno. She usually won more than she lost, but she never gambled on her pro sports teams—Denver Broncos, Colorado Rockies, and the Houston Astros—the ones who played in the Astrodome! During football season you could hear Mary Jane yelling “Go, go go” at the tv as the Broncos marched down the field. Though she imbibed in gambling, drinking was not one of her vices. Though she was known to answer “tequila sour” when asked what she wanted to drink.

Mary Jane had many friends and one of her favorite people to visit with was Don Owsley or as Mary Jane called him “the damn republican.” Mary Jane, a “damn democrat” would sit and visit with “the damn republican” for hours. Many “damn democrats” and “damn republicans” need to learn from Mary Jane and Don how to disagree but still be loyal, lifelong friends!

From childhood until her passing, Mary Jane was surrounded by animals. She was a lover of dogs and cats. Her last pet, Daisy, a senior cat, allowed Mary and Daisy to live as two old ladies hanging out together.

Mary Jane Hills Henning Hope was an imperfect person, but she was loved and will be missed by her children—Craig Henning (Terry) ; Greg Henning (Connie), Nancy Henning, and Cynthia Henning (Trish); grandchildren—Brandi Mae Kopcho, Elizabeth Bea Chumpitaz (Alex), Joshua Thyarks Henning (Charity), Eric Henning (Jamie), Rebecca Blanton (Todd), Tiffany Lewis, and Kristopher Henning-Harris; 18 great-grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents Ralph Hills and Lois Grimes; her sister, Peggy Jo Parras; her first husband, Ernie; her second husband, and her grandson, Michael Kopcho.

Mary Jane will be interred at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City, Nevada.

In lieu of flowers the family asks donations to be made in Mary’s name to any of the following: Henning Family Scholarship at Laramie County Community College; the Davis Hospice Foundation; the Cheyenne Animal Shelter or Black Dog Animal Rescue.