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Frances Pennell Obituary
Frances Estelle (Markey) PENNELL Died September 21, 2007. Beloved wife of John C. Pennell, Bainbridge Island. Preceded in death, in 1998, by her loving son, Douglas, Frances is survived by her husband, John; her daughter, Kathleen M. McCain, Seattle; her sister, Patricia Gearhard, Puyallup and brother, Donald Markey, Seattle. Frances was born in Ballard and graduated from St. Alphonsus elementary school in 1938 and Holy Angels Academy in 1942. She attended Peterson Business School and worked as a bookkeeper for the Shell and Richfield Oil companies. In her later career, many will remember her as a popular cashier at some of Seattle's finer restaurants. Retired on Bainbridge Island for twenty-four years, Frances acted as a surrogate grandmother for a generation of loving children in the Manzanita neighborhood. A memorial service will be announced.To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Frances Pennell
Anna Yang
October 17, 2007
Dear John,
I am very sorry about your wife and your friend, Fran, who has gone to a far away paradise. I am sad to lose a good friend, someone I knew for a cheerful moment. However, I am glad that she is no longer ill, suffering and tired. It was a good choice for her.
Shall we come to a place and see: There is a stream that just left a mountain and now is running toward the east. She gets the fresh morning air, colorful leaves, the sound of birds and the sunshine as she passes by all kinds beautiful, natural wonders along her sides. The stream seems eager to join the ocean, because that is where she belongs.
Shall we stand there quietly and listen? The stream is singing a song that is the best I have ever heard; waving her hand to all of us and smiling happily; saying to us that she will not be happy if we are sad or show tears on our faces.
Let us send our best wishes to Fran, the peaceful stream.
Bon Voyage! Yea loo shun feng! Via con Dios, mi amiga!
Dennis Markey
October 13, 2007
Fran was my own favorie aunt and I had a lot of them. She was my own Auntie Mame having gone off to Europe with John. And my Dad, Don, sitting next o me at this moment, says she was his own favorite baby sister, which still makes room for Pat, his favorite older sister. That was a lot of competition, folks.
Difficult years of late, and our hearts go out to John and Kate. We will remember her dearly as she was.
Don and Dennis Markey
Mechele Wagner
October 13, 2007
I have very special memories of Fran and although our paths have not crossed for many years, I will never forget her.
Mechele (Shelly) Wagner
Cheryl (Hayes) Sutter
October 8, 2007
I have wonderful memories of Fran and Kathy back in our Ballard High School days - I used to babysit their precious little Dougie and LOVED being around Fran! She was funny, beautiful, smart and caring....I think of her and smile!!
Hugs to you Kathy and family...
Ralph & Ildiko Umbaarger
October 4, 2007
A good freind and lots of fun. We had many good times and hold fond memories.
Ralph & Ildi
Barbara Baxter
October 4, 2007
I loved you, Fran--we all did.
As my cousin said to me, John; "Stay strong!"
Thinking of you, Love, Barbara Baxter
Jay Pennell
October 3, 2007
We will all miss Fran. She was a genuinely kind and quite funny person.
I know the last years have been tough and that Kate and John especially have been there for Fran. I grieve for your loss.
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How to support Frances's loved ones
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