Elva Penn

Penn (Pastorius), Elva Elaine "Lainey"

Penn, Elva Elaine Brockstedt, née Pastorius, Lainey to her family and friends, died peacefully in her sleep December 7th, 2024

Born March 10th, 1939 in Allentown, PA daughter of the late James Wallace Pastorius and Mabel (Anderson) Pastorius, she graduated from Moravian Seminary for Girls in Bethlehem PA and Mary Washinton College in VA with degrees in English and History. Her first job out of college was with the Library of Congress. After marriage to Peter Brockstedt of Germany and starting her family, she moved to Ohio and was a manager at a Frisch's restaurant for many years. She later married and separated from her second husband Gary Penn, who survives her.

Lainey was a fierce and loyal friend and a loving protector to many. Her kindness and generosity, her strong will, sharp, keen wit and great sense of humor made a huge, positive difference in so many lives. She was a force to be reckoned with. Her laughter and smile will be greatly missed and remembered.

She was a self-taught computer programmer and created intricate and beautiful websites at a time when those skills were not widely known or used. She loved animals, flowers, nature and collecting snow globes. Lainey was the very definition of an avid reader.

No communal services will be held. Please remember Lainey in whatever way seems best, laugh with friends, make a new friend, create something, do some good in the world.

She is survived by her elder sister, Patricia A. Brickel, of Rochester, NY and her younger sisters, Joann (Glenn) Smith of Tucson, AZ, Jennifer (Robert) Cuvo of Allentown, PA and Jamie (David) Kirk of Sterling, VA, also, her son, Curtis Brockstedt of Thurman, OH and daughter Shana Buck of Dayton, OH, grandson Trenton Williams and grandson Rashan Williams both also of Dayton OH and 6 great grand-children including her namesake, Lainey Glynn Williams. She is also survived by six nephews and six nieces and several more generations of loving family.