Dear Friends,
I invite you all to share your written memories and photos of Penny on this site. Penny was the most remarkable woman I have ever known, in addition to being my older—and only—sibling. Penny was extraordinary, as you know. But as a sister she was my best friend and a treasured, compassionate and nonjudgmental confidant. Her loss leaves a hole in my life that will never be filled.
Penny loved her job in Human Resources at the Diocese of Oakland and loved her colleagues. She was selfless in her work. There were many weekends when I would be visiting her that she would spend several hours on the phone talking to employees who were having problems and helping them negotiate possible solutions. I took many walks outside during those times—so much so that I know every nook and cranny of the community in which she lived. Penny wanted to be always accessible. Her business card listed her home phone number as well as her office number. She felt that she had a responsibility to her employees and that it was part of her mission to her faith. She lived her Christianity every day. She saw her disability from multiple sclerosis as another way to inspire those around her to face adversity with courage and love. I know how much Penny has meant to all of you.
My heart—which is so full right now—goes out to you as we all share in this great loss. How fitting for Penny to want engraved on her headstone, “All I ask of you is to remember me as loving you.”
Love,
Jean (McClelland)