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BORN
1940
DIED
2020
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Penny Circle Obituary
Penny Circle died peacefully at her daughter's home in Calabasas, CA on Wednesday morning, November 4, 2020 surrounded by her loving family. Born in Kansas on December 31, 1940, Penny was predeceased by her father, mother, sister, and grandson, Taylor. She leaves behind daughter and son-in-law, Lori and Gil Solon of Calabasas, grandson, Ryan of Los Angeles, and her grand-dog, Jasper.
Born Peggy Lynn Ferguson, Penny spent her childhood in Bismarck, ND until she moved to Burlingame, CA. There, she attended Our Lady of Angels School and Mercy High School before marrying Dee Circle in 1958; they later divorced.
Never a fan of the cold weather, Penny relocated to the Coachella Valley in 1971 where she settled in Palm Desert, her permanent home for the remainder of her life.
In 1978, Penny joined the staff of former President Gerald R Ford, becoming his Chief of Staff and Executive Assistant. She served in this capacity for 30 years. During this time, she traveled extensively, including splitting her time between her beloved Desert and Vail, CO where she spent her summers over 30 years. Vail became her adopted second home.
Penny was a loving mother, grandmother, and friend. She was a consummate professional. She was beautiful, smart, accomplished, kind, generous, fun to be around and had a great sense of humor. Her friend, Richard Norton Smith, shared, "She made life a little brighter for everyone who knew her. And she treated everyone, without exception, as if they were a president." She will be greatly missed by her family, friends, and colleagues.
Due to the pandemic, a service and celebration of Penny's life will be held at a later post-Covid date. Please reach out to the family for more information.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Penny Circle
Sponsored by thedesertsun.com.
1 Entry
Mark B.
November 24, 2020
Penny had a great smile. We would always walk by her office to “go on post” around the Ford residence. She was great at what she did and kept all of us straight. Good memories for sure.
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Gates, Kingsley & Gates Praiswater Mortuary6909 Canoga Ave, Canoga Park, CA 91303
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