SPECIAL | feature
Marion Yoder won NPR’s Sunday Puzzle in November; she wears the “Weekend Edition” pin with pride Photos by Jasmine Hall, Wyoming Tribune-Eagle
She said he was charming, and told her he knew she’d be good when he heard that she did crossword puzzles. This was a compliment, since she considers him the king of crossword puzzles, but it’s not where her passion lies. “I don’t do the crossword puzzle,” she stated matter-of-factly. “I do the Jumble.” Besides working on the Jumble, Yoder is constantly finding ways to strengthen her community in Cheyenne. She practiced law for four decades, and now, in retirement, she’s a full-time volunteer at the library, Botanic Gardens and hospital gift shop. One of her fellow volunteers at the library, Pete Sokolosky, actually won the Sunday Puzzle more than 20 years ago. He had to mail in written answers on a postcard to get on the radio, and triumphed with his own lapel pin to show for it. When he found out Yoder had won the Sunday Puzzle just like he did, he gave her his own Weekend Edition pin as a placeholder until she receives hers in the mail. She said this was just one of the many acts of kindness and moments of connection she’s had since she played. “I’ve been hearing from people I haven’t seen or heard from in years and years,” she said. She said she never thought her appearance on the show would draw so many people together. Her friends brought her flowers, made her a crown and were ready to celebrate. A woman she barely knew, but had spoken to at the grocery store earlier that week, even reached out to give her a call and say congratulations. “It’s just been so fun,” she gleefully expressed. “It’s been fantastically fun.” And she plans on continuing the joy and the games with her next goal: to get on “Jeopardy.”
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March–April 2022 | THE P.E.O. RECORD
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