Joan Mary Penner

Along with our father, Leonard Penner, our exceptional mother, raised five responsible children, all with a passion for life and for learning: Lee Penner (Jos), Denise Penner Collins (David), Janet Larocque (Rick), Susan Penner and Leona Munro, (Dave). Mom enjoyed her family that grew into nine grandsons and four great grandchildren. Mom was born in Rudgewick, England, one of seven children born to George and Jesse Hurst. At the age of 14, she began working at the McAndrew Family Estate and a few years later, she left to work as a lady’s companion. After two of her brothers were killed in WWII, Mom was strongly motivated to join the war effort and enrolled in the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force. She was stationed in Inverness, Scotland where she was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. It was there she met our father, a member of the Canadian Air Force. They married and Mom immigrated to Canada as a war bride. Mom and Dad settled in Winnipeg where Dad completed medical school and upon his graduation, they moved to Kindersley, Saskatchewan, where they lived for 17 years, eventually moving to Calgary, Alberta, in 1968. Despite her busy life of caring for everyone, Mom was also active in the community. She was a member of the Anglican Church, the IODE, the Outdoor Club of Calgary and Meals on Wheels. Mom was also an accomplished knitter, sewer and needle pointer. Who knew that you could knit a dress? The walls of our home were adorned with magnificent and complicated needlework pieces. Mom also enjoyed the hours she spent creating stained glass pieces, puttering in her garden and grooming her beloved African Violets. Mom facilitated all our family gatherings, creating a warm and inviting home. Most importantly, our mother was a kind person. She was proud of us, we all loved her, and we are so incredibly grateful for all her love and devotion.

A private family interment will take place. Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded to the family via the website www.fostersgardenchapel.ca.

FOSTER'S GARDEN CHAPEL

FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORIUM

Telephone: 403-297-0888

Honoured Provider of Dignity Memorial