Mary Penzenik

1948 - 2018

Mary Jennings Penzenik, nee Sweeney, 70, left her earthly cares behind on May 26, 2018, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. She was born on Jan. 22, 1948, to Robert and Rose (Vinci) Sweeney. She grew up in the West Pullman neighborhood of Chicago, Ill., graduated from Fenger High School in 1966, and attended Western Colorado University where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in 1973. She worked for the Alaska State Library and served the people of Alaska as a librarian until she retired in 1999. While employed she served a tenure as President of the Alaska Library Association and as Executive Officer until 2013. Mary also earned her Masters in Library Science from the University of Hawaii. After retirement, Mary spent many summers working seasonally for Princess Cruises so that she and her husband, Bob, could cruise the world.
Mary leaves behind her loving husband, Robert Penzenik; and dear daughter, Heather. Other surviving family members include her mother, Rose; sisters, Dede (Mike) and Dria (Ron); brother, Tony; seven nieces and nephews; and 13 great-nieces and great-nephews; as well as over 40 cousins will also mourn her passing. She was preceded in death by her father, Robert, in 1993; and her sister, Nikki, who passed five days after Mary.
Mary made friends easily and was kind to all. She was a long time member of Epsilon Sigma Alpha International Service Organization, and was always willing to help a friend in need. As a result of her caring attitude, she will be missed by many devoted friends. Her family would like to thank her friends, her doctors and the medical staff at Providence for their care of her in her final journey.
There will be a Celebration of Life on Thursday, June 14, 2018, at 1:30 p.m., at Janssen's Evergreen Memorial Chapel, 737 E Street in Anchorage.