Mark Penna Obituary

Mark Penna Winemaker, grape grower, scientist, gentleman and proud Aggie, Mark Edward Penna peacefully left this earth on December 7, 2011, in Austin, after a very courageous 3 year battle with brain cancer. Instead of a funeral, his wish was that during a good meal, family and friends should also enjoy good wine or hearty beer and think of him. His ashes will be taken to places he loved in his heart's home, the Big Bend region of Texas. The younger son of Betty Jean Luhning and Frederick Philbert Jerome Penna, Mark was born in La Marque, Texas, on April 22, 1953. Mark worked at many vineyards and wineries across the state including Pheasant Ridge, Llano Estacado, and Cap*Rock and was head winemaker at Ste. Genevieve in Ft. Stockton for several years. His interview by Wes Marshall for the first edition of "The Wine Roads of Texas" became part of family lore. In 2004 he was hired to plant the vineyard and design and run the production facilities in Driftwood for the new Mandola Estate Winery/Duchman Family Winery. Mark's wines received medals at many competitions and he was awarded the 2008 Louis F. Qualia Award from the Texas Wine & Grape Growers Association. The Statesman published a tribute article with further details where friends may leave comments: http://tinyurl.com/MarkPenna The tender care by the staff of Christopher House was most appreciated by everyone. Survivors include his wife, Pam Spooner, brother, Stan Penna; sister, Lee Smith; and nephews Nathan and Dustin Penna. Suggested memorials: Our Lady of Fatima School, 1600 Ninth Avenue North, Texas City, 77950 or Grand Companions, P.O. Box 1156, Ft. Davis, 79734 or the Horticulture Dept. of Texas A&M, College Station.

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Published by Austin American-Statesman on Dec. 14, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Mark Penna

12 Entries

January 1, 2012

Somewhere bells are ringing...birds are singing...
babies are being born -- how divine!
I'm gonna rise above my sorrow
and hope I see you again one tomorrow,
but until then -- a toast! to old friends
and a good glass of wine...

Connie Lewis

December 16, 2011

It is difficult to express my sadness for Mark's passing. Mark was one of the most caring people I have known. I have so many fond memories of my trips to Canyon Lake and his visits to my parents' house during the holidays.

I am thankful that he got to experience his dream of being an accomplished winemaker and his legacy will live on in the beautiful winery he helped create. My deepest sympathy and love to Pam, Lee, Jim, Stan, Jill, Nathan and Dustin.

John Lewis

December 14, 2011

I remember the good times I shared with Mark in Houston and Canyon Lake. He was intelligent, caring and a joy to be around. I will never forget him.

Kira Holt

December 14, 2011

Mark was always such a nice, quiet guy. I only paddled with him a few times but admired his grace and oneness with the river instead of trying to overpower the rapids. I'll never forget sitting on the banks of the Rio Grande and encouaging Mark to like the box wine I had brought to share.

Lou Ann Ringer O'Roark

December 12, 2011

Dear Pam, I'm sorry we've never met. We were life long friends of the Penna's. I had found Mark once and we exchanged a few e-mails and then I lost touch again. My Mom told me when his Mother, Jean died. I am so sorry that he had to suffer, because he was always a gentle soul.

Stan and Jill, If you are reading this, I want you to know that I loved your brother as I love both of you. We grew up together in Texas City and spent a lot of time doing all the Catholic school things. We just had a reunion for TCHS class of '71 and there are several people that Mark can hang with from our class. I was so sad when I read of his passing. Mom and Dad are still well and living in TC. Please come see us if you ever get around TC.

Again, I am so sorry for your loss.

Love,

John Ringer

December 12, 2011

Mark and Family, Though we haven't been in touch much through the years, when you grow up Catholic here in Texas City where you rode your bike to Our Lady of Fatima or the levee, you became family. Stan, I'm deeply saddened by Marks passing but we both know his suffering has ended and that he is running free through the vineyards of heaven and pushing away from the river bank every afternoon for a little white water action.

I'm just sad, God bless you all. Just me and dad in the phone book here, if any of you get this way.

Sonya Robles Cotton

December 11, 2011

What fond memories I have of Mark ~ double dating at TCHS Sadie Hawkins dances, teasing him about his crush on Dolly Parton, my first white water rafting trip, visits at Canyon Lake and camping. Our family loves him. God Bless Pam, Stan, Jill, Lee and all his family and friends. May each of us make half the impact in other's lives that Mark did.

Jim Robertson

December 10, 2011

Mark taught me how to white water kayak when we were in our early 20s. We spent hundreds of hours paddling many of the rivers in Texas, New Mexico, Colorado and Mexico well into our 40s. We would always scout the big rapids and he'd generally be the first one through. I'd hang back, summon my courage, and try to copy his form and grace under pressure with varying degrees of success.

I feel much the same about watching his struggle with cancer the last 3 years. I hope I can emulate his form and grace when its my turn again.

Bill McPheeters

December 9, 2011

Before I went in for an interview on a Saturday morning at Mensor, where we both worked, I went to the barber shop to get my head full of long hair cut off. Mark was working that moning and he was the first person I met - with a head full of long hair.

I always admired him for pursuing what he wanted to do and being successful at it.
My condolences.

William Tickle

December 9, 2011

Dear Pam,

I have many wonderful memories from times spent with Mark in our childhood, especially those at the farm in Nacogdoches. Now he is with his parents again, in the loving arms of God.

I will pray for your family.

God Bless You

Ruth Dahlstrom

December 9, 2011

Dearest Pam: You will be in our thoughts and prayers. Mark was one of a kind. We will miss him.
Joe and Ruth Dahlstrom

Mike Doss

December 9, 2011

I was saddened to see the notice of Mark's passing in today's newspaper. Mark was one of the first people that I met at Our Lady of Fatima when my family moved to Texas City in the Sixties and even then you could tell that he was a thoughtful and compasionate person. I am not surprised to find that he spent the last twenty years practicing the art of winemaking. May his soul rest in peace.

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