Brenda Kay Rodriguez, 58, of Sheridan, passed away peacefully after a short illness on Saturday, December 1, 2018 at Sheridan Memorial Hospital.  She was born October 19, 1960 in Sheridan, Wyoming to Mark and Carolyn (Barker) Badgett.

Brenda worked most of her life for Ole’s Pizza as a cook.  She also, worked for Sharon Kinnison Law Office and Wilcox Title and Abstract.  Brenda enjoyed spending time with her daughter, grandchildren, and great grandson.  She loved shopping, animals, especially her dog, Katie and was a wonderful cook.

Brenda was preceded in death by her father, Mark Badgett and brother, Steve Badgett.  She is survived by her mother, Carolyn Badgett of Sheridan, WY; daughter, Amanda Costas of Belfield, North Dakota; sister, Patty (Bill) Benskin of Cheyenne, WY; three grandchildren, Sierra (Costas) Fields, of Dickinson, ND, and Alexander and Andrew Costas of Belfield, ND; great grandson, Dylan Costas; and nephews, John Benskin of Cheyenne, WY, Gabe Badgett of Sheridan, WY, and John Badgett of Olathe, KS; and niece, Erin Benskin of Cheyenne, WY.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, December 7, 2018 at First Christian Church, 102 S. Connor St., Sheridan, with Pastor Doug Goodwin officiating.  In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in Brenda’s honor to the Northern Wyoming Mental Health Center; Brenda suffered from mental illness and we would like anyone struggling to please call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or the National Alliance on Mental Illness Helpline at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264). Online condolences may be written at www.championfh.com.  Arrangements are under the direction of Champion Funeral Home.

Colors Fall

I hate the way the colors seem to me now,
In dead of winter.
They fade away with every choice I make.
The only honest hues I spy
Are the cotton candy blues and pinks
Of winter sky,
And the messy, dingy grey
Of melted snow on lonely sidewalks…

Only a miracle now will transform

My bewildered pea-sized brain
Into a healthy clicking mind again.
The thoughts that do come are
Circular and slow.
Where have all the wild roses gone?
I miss their color constantly.
Like merry mauve and
Startling pink signposts,
They pointed the way to a kinder,
More accepting world–a world where
I once belonged.

In winter, colors fall away, hope fades,
And the mentally ill, (myself included),
Hide ourselves away in dark caves of despair,
Our thoughts trembling and weak,
Our imagined sins the only crimson spot
In a tumbling, jumbled up,
Colorless world…

 

© Judith Chiorazzi

Published: April 2017

Sheridan & Johnson County Obituaries Uncategorized