Marianne Blanton

With a zest for life that only God above could have created and a smile that would never fail to lift your heart, MARIANNE PENNY BLANTON lived her life of 46 wonderful years. Always a wife, always a mother and always a daughter and a sister, an unwavering devotion to her family was apparent to and indelible upon everyone who knew her. Marianne was a gift from God to us all and unconditionally gave her life to our Creator and to her family and friends. Born on Friday, May 13, 1960, in Houston, Texas, Marianne was the third of three "Penny Girls." Marianne grew up in Houston and was a light of life to her family. Marianne gave her life to Jesus as a teenager and was active in her local church, Tallowood Baptist Church and in Young Life at Memorial High School. Marianne graduated from Memorial High School in 1978, and then attended Baylor University in Waco where she and Bill, her husband of 22 years, first met their junior year. Marianne excelled at Baylor in every way, as a top student, officer of her sorority, Pi Beta Phi, student General Manager of KWBU, Baylor's radio station and lover of fun. Marianne had a way of lifting up everyone around her. Marianne graduated from Baylor in 1982 with a Bachelor's degree in Radio-TV, then remained in Waco as a local on-air news reporter. After a couple of years as a reporter, Marianne moved back to Houston to join Bill, who was attending law school. Marianne and Bill married on December 29, 1984 in Houston. Marianne then went to work for her beloved father as an Ad Exec at Penny & Speier advertising agency until having their first child, Danielle, in 1987 and becoming a "stay-at-home" mom. Soon afterward came Julianne in 1989 and Brooke in 1992. Marianne loved being a mom and loved her daughters so much more than even her own life. The family moved to San Antonio in 1989 and then to Boerne in 1998. After Brooke started first grade, Marianne returned to college and earned a degree in Education and began working at Boerne Middle School North. During that time, Marianne made her mark on countless kids and was nominated as the Disney Teacher of the Year nationwide. Marianne was later led to go on staff with Young Life Boerne and was instrumental in starting its middle school program, which is still changing the lives and loving kids. Marianne was also a significant part of Currey Creek Baptist Church in Boerne and loved her church family. Marianne continued to change lives after moving to Grand Junction, Colorado, where Bill became the Area Director for Young Life. Marianne was a devoted and loved teacher at Mount Garfield Middle School. Most of all, Marianne was devoted to Jesus Christ and proudly acknowledged Him as her Lord, Savior, Friend and Guide for Life. Her Lord, her family and her friends made her happy until Jesus brought her home on March 10, 2007, where she is this very moment in paradise beyond compare with our Lord-probably getting a killer tan on a white sand beach. Marianne is survived by her husband, Bill; daughters, Danielle, Julianne and Brooke; beloved mother, Linda Felton Penny; sisters, Diane Parma and husband Frank and Roxanne Dyess and husband Doug; In-laws, Gene and Sue Blanton, Ron and Kathleen, Jimmy and Stacey and Daryl and Carole Blanton. Marianne was also "Aunt Mary" to numerous adored nieces and nephews. Marianne's father, Charles R. "Dick" Penny, met Marianne at the gates of Heaven with an eternal hug and laugh, no longer to miss each other. Friends are invited to a visitation with the family from 3:30 p. m. until 4:00 p. m. Saturday, March 17, 2007, in the Chapel of Forest Park Westheimer Funeral Home, 12800 Westheimer Road, where funeral services will be held at 4:00 p. m. with T. J. Dickerson, officiating. Marianne loved daisies. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions in Marianne's name be sent to, Young Life, P. O. Box 60145, Grand Junction, Colorado 81505, so that her passing will continue to lead teenagers to Jesus Christ and change their lives forever as her life on earth did so significantly. Thank You.