By KARLA POMEROY
With friends and fellow residents gathered at the Wyoming Retirement Center last Wednesday singing “Happy Birthday,” Annabel “Cookie” Miley said, “I’ve never had so many ‘happy birthdays.’” She, of course, was referring to the many greetings she received at her party that afternoon, not of the 100 birthdays she has celebrated in her life.
According to friend David Koerwitz of Thermopolis, Cookie was born Jan. 27, 1910, and raised on a ranch outside of Story. Koerwitz wrote in his history of Cookie, “She refers to herself as a Tomboy growing up and performing all of the duties required on the ranch, but I am sure she was just a hard working cowgirl.”
Cookie met and married her lifelong companion Harold and they spent most of their working years in Washington, D.C. Harold was a tour bus guide and later directed and managed the Mass Transit Pension Fund. Cookie was also a civil servant, as well as serving in the Navy. She considered herself an expert typist.
During the week, Harold and Cookie lived and commuted to work from their condo but most weekends were spent on their boat and usually involved fishing.
When they were ready to retire, Koerwitz wrote, Cookie wanted to get back to her Wyoming roots so they moved to Thermopolis where they were able to enjoy the weather and the freedom to ride their motorcycles.
During their retirement years, they became ‘snowbirds’ in the winter and spent most of their winters camped in parks in Arizona, Florida and Las Vegas.
“Harold and Cookie were easy to spot around Thermopolis in their Volkswagon Bug. Life was good as they spent these years traveling and enjoying the Wyoming lifestyle we all cherish,” he wrote.
Koerwitz said the couple finally moved to the “sailors” home in Buffalo, thanks to Cookie’s military service. After her husband passed away, Cookie wanted to come to the Wyoming Retirement Center in Basin. She moved here in 2003.
Koerwitz said, “She’s a typical ranch lady from Wyoming. She’s independent and that’s what I love about her. The Cookie I have known has always been a bright and caring person and reaching this 100-year milestone is surely a tribute to this wonderful lady.”
When asked what the biggest change she has seen in her 100 years, Cookie said, “Not much has changed. People are still nice and pleasant.”
Gov. Dave Freudenthal sent a letter to Cookie stating, “Nancy and I send our congratulations on celebrating a very special occasion, your 100th birthday. I am sure that you have seen quite a bit of change in Wyoming throughout your 100 years but hope you will agree that there have been a few constants such as its natural beauty and the hard-working, great-spirited people who remain our tradition. This celebration definitely establishes you as a part of this legacy.”
Cookie was presented with many cards and a lap throw from students of Cloud Peak Middle School. Dineen Mueller said her Advocacy Group wanted to make a lap throw for former district employee Cookie Henson. They ended up making two during their Friday group meetings, and wanted to donate the second one to the WRC. Taylor Vigil, one member of the group, found out through his mother about Cookie’s 100th birthday so the students agreed to present the second throw to her. Vigil presented the lap throw to her Wednesday after school. Others in the group were Nick Schlattmann, McKay Cheatham and Shawn Stevens. Nancy Jares group also assisted. Members of the group were Tucker McKim, Kobee Burkhardt, Gabriela Alcaraz, Jessica Rios and Tanner Bernstein.