Penelope "Penny" Putnam

1929 - 2023

Penelope "Penny" (Reed) Putnam, 93, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family and devoted caregivers on July 7, 2023. Penny was born in New York City to Ruth Seymour Reed and Stayman Reed on October 26, 1929. She graduated from Nightingale Bamford School and attended Radcliffe College (now part of Harvard) in Cambridge, Mass.

She married John Christopher "Chris" Putnam in February 1951 in NYC. They moved to New Hartford, Connecticut to raise their family in 1954. After having 4 children, Penny found her calling when she started teaching nursery school. She returned to school to pursue a B.A. in Psychology and an M.S. in Early Childhood Education from the University of Hartford. Penny's proudest professional achievement was founding the Winsted Area Daycare Center with Lyn Haskell and Ayreslea Denny in 1979 where she served as the Director for many years. She also worked in many regional and statewide programs to promote quality preschool education and licensed home daycare.

Penny always had a love for horses and owned many when she moved to Colebrook in 1974. She combined her love of horses with her passion for educating children when she taught 4-H and Pony Club to area children.

Chris and Penny moved to the McLean Villas in Simsbury in 2011 where they made many new friends. Penny was known for her positive outlook, concern for her neighbors and sharp intellect.

After Chris' death in 2016, Penny was fortunate to have wonderful caregivers; Karen Downey, Phyllis Cappa, Pat Kaz, and Kathy Rollins to provide loving care to ensure that she could remain at home. A special thank you to the wonderful care provided by McLean Homecare and Hospice.

Penny is survived by her four children Alison Jassen (Kerry) of Colebrook, Stephen Putnam (Jane) of Torrington, Allan Putnam of Bow, New Hampshire, Sara Szafranski (Walter) of Burlington, and Penny's brother Thomas Reed of New York City. She was predeceased by a brother, Jonathan Reed. She was a beloved grandmother to 9 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

Memorial donations may be made to Colebrook Congregational Church, 471 Smith Hill Road, Colebrook, CT 06021 or Trinity Episcopal Church, 11 Church Street, Tariffville, CT 06081.

Services of Remembrance will be held at McLean in Simsbury also at Trinity Church in Tariffville at dates to be determined.

A memorial service for friends and family will be held at Colebrook Congregational Church on September 23, 2023 at 11 am. Burial will be private. Montano-Shea Funeral Home, 922 Main Street, Winsted has care of the arrangements. Visit an online guestbook at montano-shea.com.