Sally Carpenter Sulik Pennoyer
Sally Anne Carpenter Sulik Pennoyer, 86, went home to her Jesus on August 7, 2025, in Trumbull, Connecticut after a brief illness. Born on December 1, 1938, Sally was blessed with a family that had both a deep love for Jesus and a deep love for laughter. The only female of her generation, Sally was well able to hold her own with her brothers and boy cousins, the Carpenter/Carley boys, while growing up in the Black Rock section of Bridgeport. A graduate of Bassick High School, Sally loved spending summers throughout her lifetime at the family cottage on Candlewood Lake, swimming, fishing, boating and water-skiing.
She began dating her future husband, Robert E. Sulik, at the age of 15. On July 20, 1957, Sally and Bob were married and enjoyed nearly 34 years of happiness together until Bob's death in 1991. They lived in Fairfield, where they raised their three children. Her children were always her priority, and she worked in positions that could fit around their schedules. For many years she was a bus driver for Greens Farms Academy; she also worked as a teacher at Black Rock Nursery School.
A lifetime member of Black Rock Church, Sally was an active member of the choir for nearly 70 years. She volunteered in many capacities by teaching Sunday School and working with Pioneer Girls, as well as serving as an Advisor for Good News Singers for over a decade, where she impacted the lives of many young people. She came on staff at Black Rock in 1984, first working as the Executive Assistant to the Senior Pastor, and later as the church Business Administrator.
Sally was an amazing seamstress and loved all sorts of handcrafts and painting. She sewed the bridal gown for her only daughter, along with all the bridesmaid dresses. She was rarely seen without smocking or knitting in hand, and made beautiful outfits for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
In 2000, Sally found love a second time when she met and married Ray Pennoyer. He brought much laughter and adventure back into her life after many years of living alone, and Ray introduced her to his family home in Boothbay Harbor, Maine, where they loved to entertain family and friends. They were married for 24 years before Ray's passing in July of 2024.
Sally spent her life following Jesus, as was evidenced by her selfless personality and her willingness to serve him with her whole heart. Though Alzheimer's claimed many of her memories in her later years, she never forgot her love for her Lord or for her family.
Sally was predeceased by: Her husband, Bob Sulik; her husband, Ray Pennoyer; her parents, Hubert and Viola Carpenter; and her brothers, Gary Carpenter and Doug Carpenter. Sally is survived by her two sons: John E. Sulik and his wife Patrice of Simsbury; David A. Sulik and his wife Kate of Shelton; her daughter: Karen Sulik Kish and her husband David of Shelton; seven grandchildren: Stephanie Kirkhoff, Allison (Mike) Pitts, Greg (Rachael) Sulik, Kyle (Sarah) Sulik, Joshua (Kayte) Kish, Jim (Carly) Sulik and Josiah (Kiona) Kish; seven great-grandchildren (with two more coming): Matthew, Jonah and Ariadne Kirkhoff, Mackenzie and Cassidy Pitts, Arabella Kish and Shea Sulik; three stepchildren: Ray (Donna) Pennoyer, Shay (Glenn) Cross, and Wendy (Jim) Barrows; ten step-grandchildren and eight step-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by two sisters-in-law, Joan Carpenter of Delaware and Carol Carpenter of Massachusetts, two lifelong friends, Flo Williams and Cathy Wyatt, many nieces, nephews, cousins and other close family friends. She will be loved and missed by all who were blessed to know her.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, September 6th at 3:00 p.m. at Black Rock Church, 3685 Black Rock Turnpike, Fairfield, CT. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to https://events.alz.org/fundraisers/karenkish/sally-sulik-pennoyer-825