Penny Frances Moore

MOORE, PENNY Age 65 February 19, 2026. Beloved wife of the late Joseph Sr. Loving mother of Joseph (Christina) Moore and Nicole (Aaron) Delabre. Proud grandmother of Tommy, Lucca, Keira & Auguste. Dearest sister of Norm (Jill) Rothwell, Cindy (Keith) Holder, Larry (Denise) Rothwell & Terri (the late Jeff) Duke.

Some of my earliest and most vivid memories are of quiet rebellion-small fingers curled around the wooden banister, peeking through the rails of the staircase, straining to see into the kitchen where laughter, friendly jabs, and a clinking of cards on the table echoed through the house. We were supposed to be in bed, but we couldn't resist. There was magic in that room. Our parents, aunts, uncles, and a few close friends gathered around the kitchen table, playing card games well into the night. That warmth, that togetherness-it planted something deep in my soul.

Games became more than a pastime in our family-they became a way of life.

Even now, as I write this-just days after being released from hospice-I am reminded how much these games have given me over the years. While raising my children, navigating life's hardships, or healing from loss, cards were the constant that tethered us to joy. Whether life was calm or chaotic, the deck came out, the kitchen table was cleared, and the tradition continued.

I still remember the first time we children were finally allowed to join in. It was like being initiated into something sacred. We had waited patiently, quietly observing from the sidelines, and suddenly-there we were, dealt in and glowing with pride.

As my kids grew older, cards remained our bridge. During the teen years when house rules were challenged and silence could fill the space between us, a simple "Want to play a game?" was the olive branch that always worked. In those moments, the walls came down. Disagreements softened. Even if just for a hand or two, we were back-laughing, competing, connecting.

Card games saw us through the darkest seasons too. My husband Joe, who bravely battled heart failure and eventually lived with a mechanical heart, found comfort in the ritual of playing cards. On the hardest days, he'd shuffle the deck with those familiar hands, and just like that, the weight of it all lifted. The cards gave us a pause-a small escape-a reason to smile. When Joe passed in 2021, the games didn't stop. If anything, they became more sacred.

Now, it's my grandchildren who sit across from me at the table, shuffling cards with eager hands, asking, "Nonni, which game are we playing today?" They bring new games, new rules, and the same old joy. The tradition is now three generations strong, and I see the seed planted long ago beginning to bloom again through them.

Through every card dealt, we've shared lessons-math, strategy, fair play, resilience. And yes, sometimes there were shouts of "He cheated!" and a flurry of cards flying through the air. That's life. We gather them up and start again.

To my children and grandchildren: I see you carrying this tradition forward. I see the way you gather around your own tables, laughing, teaching, playing. And I know-this simple act will echo through time. Keep dealing the cards. Keep telling the stories. Keep laughing even when the score is close and someone's pouting. That's how love is passed down-one hand at a time.

So, shuffle the deck. Pick your partner. And never forget: the game is never just about winning-it's about being together.

"The cards may change, the players may grow, but the love around the table-that never fades." -Penny Moore

Visitation Tuesday 3-9pm with 7:00pm Scripture Service at Wujek-Calcaterra & Sons 54880 Van Dyke at 25 Mile Rd. (SHELBY TOWNSHIP). Funeral Wednesday Instate 10:0am at St. Kieran Catholic Church 53600 Mound (Btw 24 & 25 Mile Rds) until time of Mass 10:30am. Donations are welcome to March of Dimes. Share memories with the family at their "On-Line Guest Book" @ WujekCalcaterra.com.