Mary Penn

Mary Jean Penn died at age 67 on October 22, 2022. She was born to Raymond and Evelyn Penn on July 2, 1955.

Mary graduated from Madison West High School before earning a double major in journalism and political science at the University of Wisconsin at Madison in 1977. She worked as a correspondent for the Capital Times for southeastern Dane County and as a features writer for the Stoughton Courier Hub. She worked in the office of a Wisconsin representative and as an aide in constituent work and in the reelection campaign of Senator Chvala.

Mary always loved children and her next two spells of work were at Madison's Preschool for the Arts and the Montessori Children's House.

Mary never married and had no children yet she in effect was adopted into the family of her two closest friends Pam O'Neal and Mary Blend.  She had a lifelong friendship with their families. Of special note was her love and help for Pam's grandchildren, especially Savannah O'Neal.

Mary always loved sports and she was a diehard fan of the Packers and the Badgers, the Brewers and the Bucks.

Mary attended and participated in Madison churches, including the Asbury United Methodist Church and H.I.S. Ambassadors Fellowship.

Mary maintained a positive outlook throughout her life. She was kind and helpful and always looked for ways to help others, especially younger people.  It may truly be said she led a good Christian life.

Mary was predeceased by her parents Raymond and Evelyn Penn. She is survived by her older brothers, David (Deborah), John (Bonnie), and James (Laura) and by members of their extended families.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made out to the U.W. Arboretum, Friends of the Arboretum Fund.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday November 12, 2022, at Cress Funeral Home 3610 Speedway Rd., Madison, WI 53705.  A time of gathering will be from 10 a.m. until the time of service.  She will be laid to rest at Forest Hill Cemetery following the services.

Cress Funeral Service

3610 Speedway Rd.

Madison, WI 53705