Jennie Elizabeth Readey

Jennie Elizabeth Readey, of Denver, Colorado, passed away peacefully on September

12, 2024. She was 82. She is survived by her son Michael Richard Wodash and his

wife Mayumi Ogawa, of Las Vegas, Nevada, and by Kay Kishline a friend (almost a sister) with

whom she shared a home for over 30 years. She was preceded in death by her parents

John and Ida Mae Readey of Dayton, Ohio and her brothers James August Readey and

John (Jack) Alexander Readey.

Jennie was born in Dayton, Ohio where, at age 12 she met her lifelong love: pepperoni

pizza. It started with Cassano’s. Jennie sat on the curb across the street for days,

waiting for the new restaurant’s opening day. And finally: ecstasy. Could anything have

been better? Yes! A few years later another pizzeria opened a little farther away !!

Marion’s Pizza!! Jennie married twice in Ohio, but neither husband could compete with

Marion’s. Anyone who had more than a couple of meals with her, certainly had

pepperoni pizza with her somewhere in the USA. Indeed, it was among her last few

meals as her health declined.

As a teenager in Dayton, Jennie became the babysitter for the Ringle family, who lived

near her home. She came to regard them as her second family, and, in fact, she

traveled to Colorado with them and spent her junior year at West High School in

Denver. She labeled them her foster parents and siblings and maintained a loving

relationship with them for her entire life.

Jennie was bigger than life in so very many ways. She and Mike moved to Colorado in

1974, where she became the first female deputy sheriff in Colorado, serving in Clear

Creek County for three years. Capping a long career with the State, she later became

the first female Director of Purchasing for the Colorado Department of Transportation.

While serving in that capacity, she became an instructor for the National Institute of

Governmental Purchasing (NIGP) and taught government contracting to state and local

government employees from Alaska to Florida, New York City, and even Canada. In

addition, she won NIGP’s Distinguished Service Award in 2015. Her friendship with and

support of those throughout the organization gained her the nickname “Mother.”

In a group, she was always the entertainer, telling her stories and offering a joke on

every subject. (Who could ever forget “Bare Butt over I-70”?) Jennie’s heart was big

enough to embrace every animal she ever ran into. She even operated an informal

animal shelter out of her home before moving to Colorado, and no local dog or cat ever

went homeless. (Reptiles, however, were on their own.)

Jennie’s son Mike was, most assuredly, her pride and joy. He has had a spectacular

career as a magician, performing on every continent but Antarctica. He was presented

Siegfried and Roy’s Golden Lion’s Head Award and the Magic Grande Prix Award in

Monaco. He has performed for royalty on many occasions, including the King and

Queen of Malaysia, the King and Queen of Romania, the Princess of Spain, and His

Royal Highness Prince Rainier of Monaco. However, one of the absolute highlights of

Jennie’s life was accompanying Mike to London where he performed at a Royal Variety

Performance for Prince Charles and Princess Diana before they separated. All this

started with a magic kit given to a seven year old for Christmas. Wow!

Jennie had great affection for virtually everyone she knew. Her love, support, and

boundless sense of humor will be greatly missed.