Miss Penny
April 1, 2019
FriendshipSometimes it's hardAlways want to supportDon't necessarily agreeBe trueApril 2, 2019
ChildhoodCarefree, funPretending, laughing, playingIt is gone quicklyCherishApril 8, 2019
I’m not up for writing a poem boo hoo hooBut I’ll tell myself “no excuses”After a long day of hard work for boys who neglect to say thank youI had a moment of “Don’t be that guy”With my high school senior who thinksHe should be able to use my credit card without me asking “why?”
And another son who invites pals over for a feastBefore asking “do you have enough food?”To feed my friends , including the one who eats like a beast
And so I prepare taco fixings and meatBuffalo chicken dip and chips It’s not a small feat
Here I am another tiring night But despite it allI love these boys with all of my might!
April 24, 2019My young self did not care for her namePenny, named after a woman of soap opera fame
My young self was tired of jokes galoreAre you the owner of Penney’s department store?
My young self was sick of coin jokesQuarter or dime? Oh the feeling that evokes.
My young self dreaded lyrics from songPenny Lane, Penny Lover….the list was long.
My young self despised the middle name, LenoreWith first name Penny, I can’t take it any more
My young self wanted to be Becca, Lisa or Suemiddle name Marie or Ann that would do
My old self says Penny, this name is so greatthough there was never a Penny who was a saint
I’m happy with a name associated with travel , inspiration and flowersPennys are full of idealism and imagination to name a few powers
Funny ObituaryPenny Older, beloved Ed Tech from Club Smith died suddenly while playing Ultimate Kickball with her fifth grade friends this past Wednesday in Mr. Gallant’s PE class at CK Burns School. She was running at top speed from third base to home in attempt to score a run for her team. It was said that she shoved several Club Smith members out of her way before collapsing.
Ms. Penny, as she was affectionately known , will always be remembered as the teacher who lined up on the blue line to be given a number for a team assignment during PE class. She was known to be a fierce competitor in the Pacer test where it was her goal to beat some of her 5th grade friends. Ms. Penny was also an enthusiastic participant in Maze Tag and held nothing back when whipping the ball at students to get them out. She could be found wearing her sneakers every Wednesday and often returned to Club Smith sweaty, smelly, and out of breath for Science/Social Studies block. In addition, she enjoyed encouraging Club Smith members during their PE warm ups of “Darebys” and running laps.
When she wasn’t in PE, she could be found shooting hoops, trash talking Uno opponents (you know who you are) , and googling information for Club Smith. An avid writer, she was the winner of Mrs. Smith’s Slice of Life Challenge and was forever trying to steal the spotlight from students by begging Mrs. Smith to let her share her writing.
Ms. Penny will be missed by her Club Smith friends and coworkers who all helped her fulfill her dream of reliving 5th grade. She is survived by her daughter, MacKenzie, son in law Ryan and grandson, Ryan who will never get to experience his Grandma P’s competitive nature. She is also survived by her teenage sons, Eli and Gabe, who are now wondering who will cook their meals, do their laundry and nag them daily.