Erin Edell (Coop) Quarterman, of Sheridan, WY peacefully passed away at her home Sunday, October 28, 2012, after a short battle against lymphoma. Her family and hospice never left her side during her sudden demise, as she continued to be strong and comforted us, often with surprising humor.

Erin was delivered by the neighbor midwife on August 28, 1923, on the family homestead in Ulm, WY. She was the youngest born to Jesse and Helen (Wilcox) Coop. Jesse worked for the Burlington Northern Railroad for 35 years, while Helen taught school, delivered mail (by horse & buggy) and raised four children in Sheridan County. Erin went through school in Sheridan and Clearmont, WY graduating from Clearmont, while living in the section foreman house by the railroad track. She had many fond memories of her friends and adventures in Clearmont.

Erin was always ambitious and daring for a young woman in the early forties. Upon graduation from high school, she attended a year of college majoring in business. After a year in Kansas, she decided to transfer to Black Hills Teachers College in Spearfish, SD, where her best friend, Carol Jean Greco, was enrolled. Erin loved Spearfish, the school and the people there. She then moved to Denver, CO and worked for Gates Rubber Co. as a secretary for over a year. Ever full of wander lust, she then moved to Oakland, CA, where her good friend, Thelma Bates and her sister, Winnie, lived.

She found her prince charming in Oakland, when she and John Quarterman were introduced by their best friends on a blind date. An instant attraction grew and John proposed after he was shipped out to the New Heberdis Island in the Pacific. He didn’t want to let her get away so they were married by proxy over the miles. When John returned, they repeated their vows in a little California chapel, grabbing a sailor off the street and Erin’s sister, Winnie, as their witnesses.

John served in the Navy for twenty years as a Chief Petty Officer and the family resided from coast to coast. Three children were born in San Diego, CA with Cody being the only one born in Sheridan during the blizzard of 1949. Erin quickly flew with Jackie and new baby Cody in tow to be with John in the Philippines. John and Erin always knew they loved Sheridan best and moved back home in 1962 after John retired from the Navy.

Erin was always wise about real estate purchases even during their twenty years in the Navy. They’d usually purchase a house, improve upon it and sell it for a profit when they moved on. Her developing real estate knowledge and achievement expanded in Sheridan where they accumulated rental properties. They purchased the Parkway Motel in 1968, which they managed for twenty years. They met many interesting tourists and witnessed multiple unusual occurrences in their years at the Parkway. They later also purchased the Edwards Hotel in Sheridan and ran the Pawn Shop and apartments. They lived through many numerous and also sad experiences at the Edwards. They cared for and assisted many of their Edwards and other renters over the years, purposefully keeping rents low and even lending renters money.

Erin had multiple interests and talents, including her real estate knowledge, bowling, dancing, writing, fashion (she could have been a designer), Navajo rugs & Indian jewelry expertise and her compassion and empathy for those in need. She always enjoyed John’s minor celebrity as a “Johnny Cash” double and she’d laugh when people compared her to June Carter. She did occasionally sing along with John.

Erin was preceded in death by John a little over a year ago; her parents, brother and two sisters.

Erin is survived by her four children, Jackie, Cody (Jan), Jon and Brady; seven grandchildren; thirteen great grandchildren; one great great grandchild; nieces, nephews and many friends.

Special thanks to all those who visited and said prayers during her decline. She had three different denomination group prayers recited around her as she was bed ridden. She was a truly spiritual person who accepted all religions as valid and believed in God and Jesus and goodness, and actually practiced “Do Unto Others”.

Funeral service will be 2:00pm on Saturday (Nov. 3rd) from First Baptist Church with Pastor John Craft officiating. Interment will be in Sheridan Municipal Cemetery. Arrangements are with Champion Ferries Funeral Home.

Memorials may benefit Hospice of the Big Horns, 1401 5th St., Sheridan, WY 82801.

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