Loretta F. Coykendall

Loretta Lang Forbes Coykendall: Letty Coykendall, born on October 3, 1933, passed away on August 17, 2025, in Fort Collins, Colorado, where she made her home for the past 44 years. Letty was born in New York City to Joseph and Mildred "Mimi" Lang. Growing up in an urban setting, she attended Hunter Elementary and graduated from Dalton High School at the age of 16. After graduating from Bennington College in Vermont at the age of 20, she married G. James "Jim" Forbes in 1954, and they moved to his family's cattle ranch in rural Albany County, Laramie, Wyoming. Letty and Jim raised two children, Jamie Lisa and Mark Jonathan. Despite growing up as a “NYC girl”, Letty embraced and loved her western life and lifestyle. Letty, who was a horseback rider and an animal lover, worked regularly on the ranch while maintaining their home and raising their son and daughter. Letty was a trailblazer. In 1970, at a time when few women ran for public office, particularly in Wyoming, she ran for Albany County commissioner. In 1981, Letty married Joe Coykendall, and they moved to Fort Collins, where they built a home on Linden Lake. In Fort Collins, Letty developed a long and successful career as a Realtor with the Group Realty, where she was known as being forthright, sharp, and a staunch advocate for her many clients. Both coworkers and clients alike became lifelong friends of Letty’s. Letty was an active member of her community: She was a member of the City of Ft Collins' Parking Commission in the 1980s and a member of the Human Relations Commission in the 1990s. Letty advocated for Spanish-speaking residents to ensure that the police citizen brochure was translated into Spanish as required by the Commission. From 2000-2012, she was a member of the Citizen Review Board, which functioned as a Police oversight committee. Letty was an avid Bridge player, and she loved to read. She was able to master the New York Times crossword even at 90 years old. But, with all of her accomplishments, what will be most memorable about Letty was her keen sense of humor and infectious laugh. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Nancy Hamilton, and her husband Joe. She is survived by her sister Janet Lane, her loving children Jamie Forbes of Greensboro NC, Mark Forbes and daughter-in-law Terri Forbes of Glendale, CA, grandchildren Justin Smith and his wife Beth of Charlotte, NC, and Lauren Sarraf and her husband John of Sydney, Australia, Joe Forbes and his wife Ali of La Crescenta, CA, and Tom Forbes of Glendale, CA. She also leaves seven great-grandchildren, a loving step-mother and step-sister, Dorothy Lang and Barbara Friedman, respectively, and nephews and nieces. Letty did not want a celebration of life service. Rather, the family will have a private ceremony in Wyoming to reunite Letty with Joe so that they may ride together once again. The Family requests no flowers. Letty would appreciate any donations being made to The Matthew’s House or Animal Friends Alliance, both in Ft Collins. Any cards or letters may be addressed to her son Mark at 3207 Country Club Dr., Glendale, CA 91208.

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Loretta F. Coykendall

October 3, 1933 - August 17, 2025