I miss my sister more than words can say. She was my dearest friend and my life will never be the same without her love and support. She was the very best person in my life.

They say a grandparent is a special kind of friend. They love you, they look after you, and guide you as a parent would, but the minute trouble strikes they defend you as a peer.  For those of you who know me, I am not exactly an easy child.  This is not to say I disappear for months at a time or commit felony crimes on a regular basis, but as with any teenager I am, let's say, difficult.  Now, with that being said, we all know how my grandmother was. It didn't matter how many horrible things you had done in life, she always found a way to see the good in people. Considering the wild bunch she raised and the obnoxious family we grew into this was undoubtedly more than just a beautiful trait, but a necessity to her own sanity.  
A little over a year ago I decided to remind my parents why they should have never had children in the first place.  Some of you have heard the story, and for my parents sake I will spare the rest of retelling it.   But let's just say I returned home without the truck I left in, only to inform my parents it would need some repairs before leaving the dirt field it currently resided in darkness, in the next town over.  As you can image this was not the least bit funny to my parents, but boy did we have quite the story to tell at grandma's house. I can't begin to count the times I replayed that December night, hoping not to spark some repressed anger in my parents, but you can bet Grandma was always there to remind them of all the reasons they couldn't dare yell at me.  (1 point, team grandma & toot)  Well it turned out that this was not my month because just four days later there was another “incident”, and once again I was praying to the good lord above that it wasn't my time to meet him yet.  Still, Grandma stayed right there pointing out every good trait I had to offer in hopes of suppressing the wrath encircling me, I'll admit, rightfully so.  I must say that I am happy to inform you I spent the rest of that month under lock and key, with no mishaps to follow, and no opportunity to try for that matter. 
Come Christmas, we all sat around at grandmas sneaking food out of the kitchen while posing as temporary help. We enjoyed dinner over talks of the good ‘ol days, and once again I told the story I will never live down. Special thanks to Shorty for always initiating story time.   So we ate our food until we couldn't anymore and slowly circled the Christmas tree, anxiously awaiting whatever presents Grandma may have found this time.   With her, the truly was no telling. Pardon me, there was the certainty of some cool socks, but much beyond that it was fair game. That year for me, proved to be an unforgettable one. In fact, that year I received the best present I have ever gotten.  It was not made of precious stones or some high dollar coat, but it was straight from the heart and that was all that mattered.  It came in a small box, roughly the size of Kleenex, topped off with some obnoxious bow which we shared a common interest in. Keep in mind, at this point she's getting really pushy as I am not the fastest gift opener. As I opened the box it first read: open this direction. So I proceeded to cut the tape and expose the contents to which I found a second note:  do not shake, it's fragile.  Mind you, she's just about ready to take the box from me at this point for folding each piece of tissue I pull out, all for her sake of course. Close to the end there was yet another note scribbled on a tiny piece of cardboard which I stand before you with today, on it read:  Jaleesa, Please drive responsible, ok? Love Me. Confused, I removed the last bunch of tissue to find this toy very truck.  Thanks grandma, as you can see it's not only in mint condition, but it is just like new. On a side note, I would like to apologize ahead of time for Ben who I fear learned to drive from his aunt! Regardless, turns out grandma had a sense of humor too. 
As a kid she used to pick me up from school every afternoon.  Monday through Friday, come 3:30 I'd walk out into the parking lot, to the same place she would always sit, parked under her shade tree reading her latest book. Every day as I climbed into her car she would greet me with a smile, mark her place, and set the book in the center console. We would drive away down that same paved road a ways before she would ask me, “and what did you learn today?” to which I would always reply, “No more than I did yesterday!” and we'd laugh.  It became a joke between us that I should just quit going to school altogether, because I always claimed I had learned nothing anyways. It's funny to look back on that now, because as much as I knew I was learning at school, I learned more in those moments I spent with her.  Let there be no mistake, we never did discuss the rise and fall of the Byzantine Empire, and math problems were found to be hysterical in themselves, but she showed me what it meant to be a good person. Through her, I learned how to enjoy the little things in life, sometimes almost too well. The way we would wander off into strange fields to peek at new, beautiful houses being built, or take tours of the many, MANY places she had lived throughout her life. In fact, I always used to tell her it would be easier to name somewhere she hadn't lived.  And I don't know how many coast trips we used to sit and watch the strangers passing by. Sometimes I found it more amusing to watch her in this moment as she'd slowly smirk at some toddlers nearby, or a happy couple walking in the distance. Grandma loved people, and people loved her.  
Growing up I can't seem to remember a time that she wasn't there. As a neighbor, stocked up with ice cream sandwiches and a pool that holds far too many memories, I still, to this day, couldn't name a single place better than being at grandma's house.  Every childhood memory of me and all us crazy grandchildren seems to lead me there.  Between pomegranate wars in our good clothes, to the giant mud pit created in the front yard only to accommodate the BMX track, Grandma was clearly never fond of the word no, and if she was she never showed it.  Good people are hard to come by in today's world and we all have our closet full of skeletons, but I am fairly certain if we were to open hers it would be filled with those of all the people she's ever helped.  As I said, she was never fond of the word no, and she never turned her back on anyone who needed her, or needed anything for that matter. She was the type to give you the clothes off her back and shoes off her feet if she saw you needed it. A truly a good person, with a bleeding heart, she took pride in looking after others. If I were to guess on what she's doing now I can't help but picture her looking down on us, that subtle smirk on her face because I know at least one of us is doing something embarrassing as I speak.  Trust me, she saw you too. So before we leave today I would like to leave you with a poem. A poem to serve as a reminder of the life we all grew to know and love, and a reminder that she is with us all in this moment just as she has always been, and will continue to be.

















Do not Stand at My Grave and Weep
-By Mary Elizabeth Frye

Do not stand at my grave and forever weep.
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn's rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and forever cry.
I am not there. I did not die.

I've noticed the company "Badasci Tire" on my way to the College of the Sequoias.  I'm from Corcoran and have put together a website on the cemetery here in our community. Might be you know someone here, since the two towns are close to eachother. The site address is corcorancemetery.webs.com

My sincere sympathy and prayers to all the Badasci family. The loss of a " Mother" is one of the hardest things a child goes thru. May she be embraced in the Kingdom of Heaven by our Heavenly Father Jeus Christ. My dearest Jennifer, your Mother was a special person to all of us girls who had the oppurtunity to meet her. I remember the sleepovers or just the get togethers at the Ranch and she always watched over us and made us feel comfortable. She will be greatly missed and my heart feels for you. I'm here for you in need of anything. May Penny rejoice in the hands of the Lord.
Love you
Karey

My childhood would have been very different if it weren't for Penny Badasci.  She brought so much stability to me when I was a teen.  Being the mother to one of my best friends, she seemed to always look out for my best interest as well as those around us.  She was always so patient and kind to us girls -- even when we'd get rowdy!  The love that I hold in my heart for her and the entire Badasci Family is a God sent treasure.  I'm thinking of you, Jennifer, and missing your mom from here...  Lots of love.

I came into contact with Penny because I worked for the pool company who provided service to her. We had many long chats when I would call about a repair , I enjoyed all of them. After the business sold, I worked for the new owner and Penny and him became friends as well. I will for sure miss talking to her, most deepest sympathy going out to her family.
Todd Lewis- Lewis pool service 
Tobi Kelly- secretary

I can remember back to the age of 4 or 5 going to Hanford.  It was very exciting for me, Bruce, Shelly and Billy to hear the annoucment by my parents that we were going to visit Aunt Penny and Uncle George!  As I type this and think of my young self at Aunt Penny's I almost can smell the aroma of smelly water, cow poop, horse poop, sheep poop and pig slop as I type this.  I also think of cowboy boots, cowboy hats, Georgie and Kevins green school pants and Jennifer "Wooley" always laying on the couch watching The Three Stooges while we all had to go work on the farm! I have vivid memories of Liz and Gary at Aunt Penny's too!  What a family place to go too!!  All my kids have great memories of Hanford and Aunt Penny as well!  Today as I think of my Aunt Penny and the person she was many things come to mind..  I will miss her laugh very much it was one of a kind!  Her love for Orchids now is mine! She gave and her generosity that she showered, POURED over us all with absolutely no excepectations in return was amazing!  The love she had for her kids, her grandkids and great grandkids,  the love and careful care for her beloved grandson John was amazing!  I know with all my heart that God gave her her wings while she was here on earth as she had many blessed times in her life.  Her kids and family filled her up!!  I am so happy to know in my heart today that God has now allowed her to use those wings that he gave her so long ago.  She is a true Angel in Heaven and I know we all can sleep a little easier knowing she is up there on our side.   I will miss her very much!!  Rhonda

OBITUARY

Penny L. Badasci

6 September, 1943 – 25 February, 2013

People’s Funeral Chapel

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