DellMay Penn

Margaret “DellMay” Penn passed away at Caribou Memorial Hospital surrounded by family on Saturday, July 16th 2022 following a brief illness. She lived a long life of 85 years in the presence of family and friends who loved her very dearly.

DellMay was born in Thayne, WY on December 30th, 1936 as the oldest child of Loren and Ann Walton. Her family grew to include 5 siblings: Lael (Loretta), Dennis (Carolyn), Don (Denise), Alma, and Marie (William). She lived in Thayne and attended school in Star Valley, WY until the age of 16 when she met and married Robert Stumpp. The wedding took place in Smoot, WY at the bedside of his mothers who was healing from a broken hip. Remember, this was Wyoming and Dell May has never been pretentious. The couple had six children: Jackie, Bob (Kathy), Patti (Steven), Kim, Teresa, and Blake (Debra). The large family lived in Star Valley before moving to Conda, ID to raise their family in a two bedroom house where DellMay developed the “fastest shoe in the West” as remembered by her many children. When she wasn’t practicing her shoe skills, she worked several jobs to support the family such as middle school custodian, housekeeping, and CNA for the elderly. Dell May and Robert divorced in 1974 and she married Steve Penn in Elko, NV in 1976. The couple moved back to Star Valley in 1985 and she continued her favorite work as a CNA in Jackson and Montpelier. Later in life, she worked various jobs before retiring at 68.  Steve passed away in November 1993 while the couple was on a fishing trip and DellMay remained in their home until her death.

DellMay loved camping, hunting, fishing, knitting, crocheting, gardening, cooking, and baking. She taught several grandchildren to crochet, except for the left-handed one. She just threw her hands in the air and said “I give up”. That grandchild had to learn on her own. DellMay’s garden was known for colorful flowers, birds, bees, and the occasional deer. The many birds that visited her bird feeders provided a lot of enjoyment in the later years when maintaining a garden became difficult. She was supportive of her children and grandchildren in every way possible. She spent countless hours at the fairgrounds watching her great-grandchild, Jayden, participate in rodeos, horse shows, and royalty competitions. Several grandchildren moved out of the area and she savored every phone call and visit with them. DellMay enjoyed traveling with her family and her favorite destination was the Oregon Coast where she made several trips with Jackie and Patti. Miraculously, no one was purposefully left behind during those vacations. In addition to her family, Dell May loved animals of all kinds, especially horses. She had stories of riding horses with her father on the farm in Auburn and owned horses at various points in her life.

DellMay’s legacy consists of 6 children, 14 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, 6 great-great grandchildren, and a very spoiled black Shit-zu named Bingo. All surviving family and pets will be left with wonderful memories, love, and hearts that will take time to heal.

DellMay was proceeded in death by her parents (Loren and Ann), brother (Alma), sister (Marie) husband (Stephen), son (Kim), grandsons (Dallin, James, and JR), great-great-grandkids (Kyla and Elizebeth), and favorite son-in-law (Steven).

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to Caribou County EMS. Call (208) 547-2583 for information about how to make a donation. The EMS team provided a compassion transfer for Dell May from Idaho Falls to Soda Springs so she could spend her final days closer to family. The family will always be grateful for this incredibly kind gesture.

Graveside service will be Saturday, July 23, 2022 at 11:00am, in the Afton Cemetery. Any friends who would like to visit with the family after the service are welcome at 320 Lincoln, Afton, WY.