Shirley Elizabeth Pennala

2/16/1928 - 10/7/2025

Lyme - Shirley Elizabeth Groth Pennala, 97, passed peacefully at her home in Lyme, Oct. 7, 2025.

Born in New Britain, Feb. 16, 1928, she was the fourth child of the late Henry and Nellie Emma (Otterbein) Groth. She married the late Elmer A. Pennala, the love of her life, in 1949.

A licensed beautician, she owned and operated a salon in her home in Avon, for many years. She was known for baking cookies, raised dough coffee cakes, and rolls for friends and loved ones. She was a talented seamstress, upholsterer, chair caner, and also crafted countless braided rugs, mats and runners, gifting them to everyone she cared about.

Shirley leaves her children, Susan Pennala Darna and husband Tom of Lyme, Ellen Volponi and husband Allan of West Simsbury, and Calvin Frede Pennala and wife Kimberly of Morristown, Tenn.; eight grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her siblings: Richard H. Groth, Harold K. Groth, Roy A. Groth, Lucille Groth St. Clair; and her great-nephew James W. Lyon.

In accordance with her written wishes, there are no calling hours and the funeral and burial are private. She will be interred next to Elmer in Pine Grove Cemetery, Middletown.

Shirley was the last of that "Greatest Generation" in our family. Please celebrate the lives of your family and friends in honor of her. She would love that!

In lieu of flowers, please donate to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or to the Lyme Ambulance Association in Shirley's memory. To sign the online guestbook, visit www.fultontherouxoldlyme.com.