We will deeply miss Penny. She touched our lives in so many ways. Our long time friendship has a lifetime of cherished memories. 

Our love and support will always be here for Dannie, Sheila, Ginger and their families.

Ramon, Glenda and Todd  
Fischer, TX

The essay prompt I had to write for my application to UT was "write about a person in your life who has impacted you." I remember as soon as I had finished reading the topic this vivid memory popped into my head. It only took me an hour to write this. And I feel like it was meant to be written. Im just glad I had the privilege to contribute to the memory of my Aunt Penny.



The hot summer sun beats down into my backyard, engulfing everything in heat. I’m three years old and perched atop a shaded lawn chair, spared from the endless rays and totally consumed in my work. My hair, a hideous bowl cut, hangs over my face as I try to neatly trace my hand onto a sheet of paper. The colorful markers I’m using belong to my older sister, who has unknowingly left them behind on the table outside. The faint tune of a Jimmy Buffet song can be heard over the outdoor stereo, for my parents never spent a summer without their favorite artist on repeat. 
Trying unsuccessfully to trace my hand without mistakes, I stand up on the chair, switch colors and stick out my tongue which aides in my concentration. Little do I know that while I color outside under the shade of our umbrella, someone is filming me from inside the chill of my house. My Aunt Penny, the camerawoman, sits in our living room on a red love seat holding my parent’s 80’s-era video camera and pointing it in my direction. She laughs as she commentates my activities beyond the window, which she adds is clouded by dust.  She sets the scene beyond the camera lens, all the while imbedding the situation with her endless reel of clever humor. She talks absentmindedly of the weather and my fascination with the many colorful markers that adorn the table outside. The plot suddenly thickens when my big sister Kelly appears in the frame of the camera. Her dark blonde hair is fastened in a ponytail, and she wears an oversized t-shirt to cover her damp swimsuit. I apparently don’t notice her and continue with my masterpiece, my tongue still sticking out at a weird angle for ultimate concentration. Without hesitation, Kelly walks over to me and takes the pretty markers away with the swipe of her hand and replaces them with a single ballpoint pen. I glance up in confusion and smile at her now grabbing the pen to finish my picture. A snide remark interrupts the silence as my Aunt Penny says, “Tell her to go to hell, Rachael!” She laughs at her comment and continues to film me as I am once again immersed in my drawing despite Kelly’s evil attempts to ruin my innocent fun. 
This memory pops into my head every time I think about my Aunt. It’s distilled in perfect clarity despite the fifteen years that have passed. She was a wonderful lady that shaped my childhood with amazing memories that I will cherish forever, yet God had a different plan for her. In January of 2010, Penny was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. I watched as she fought courageously against her sickness for a year and a half. The compassion and strength she showed, despite her failing health, taught me how God moves in people’s lives. Looking back I didn’t understand why He was making my Aunt suffer. I can’t say that I understand it now, but I know He makes everything happen for a reason, and somehow my faith in Him has been restored. Aunt Penny and I were very close.  She was so laid back and full of clever humor. I never once saw her shed a tear, not even while the cancer slowly weakened her physically and mentally. We could talk for hours about anything, and I miss her now more than ever. To be honest, I don’t know why God took her away from us, but I have a hunch that her death helped me find my way back to Him after I had abandoned my faith in the midst of my junior year. 
Penny knowingly taught me about the importance of family. She taught me how to laugh regardless of the pain that loomed overhead during her sickness, desperate to consume us all. Just through her attitude and unyielding bravery these past 18 months, she has shown me that love is the answer for most of the unanswered questions in my heart. Like why are we here? What are we doing? And how come it’s so hard? My Aunt Penny has proven to me that God is here in my life working in mysterious ways. I didn’t realize what He was doing until just recently, but I think that’s how He wanted it to be anyway. I will never forget Penny’s constant sense of humor and willingness to be silly every once in a while. Whenever I think of her, my memory backtracks to the summer scene of a blonde three-year-old girl tracing her hand with markers atop a picnic table. The image might seem like a random, unimportant moment that happened to be caught on tape, but for me it’s a moment that will stick with me forever thanks to the extraordinary woman behind the lens.

I was so sorry to hear of the loss of the love of your life. Remembering your great love story today and always.

I was so sorry to hear about Penny.  I know she will be sorely missed and was greatly loved by family and friends.  I went through school from elemantary on with her.  I enjoyed visiting with her and Betsy at the last high school reunion.  She is a beautiful lady....

My prayers are with the family.I am so sorry for your loss.

My thoughts and prayers are with the Morgan family.  I worked with Penny at HP and just learned of her passing.  She was a wonderful, thoughtful woman.  My sincere condolences to her family.

I have so many wonderful memories about my Aunt Penny. I practically grew up running around Uncle Dannie & Aunt Penny's back yard at their house off West Cypress Forest since my family lived so close. I have vivid memories of playing with Penny's many glass perfume bottles in her bathroom and swimming in the hot tub in the backyard. When Rachael, Sarah and I were really little, I can remember Penny playing the "Airplane" game with us- she'd lay on her back on the floor and prop us up on her feet and make it seem like we were flying through the air- we loved it so much! Two specific memories stand out the most to me when I remember my Aunt Penny though. The first was almost 18 years ago, the night my little sister Rachael was born. Penny was watching me at our house while my parents were at the hospital. That night, I remember she read me the book "The Little Drummer Boy" and then tucked me into bed using her famous "choo choo track" technique, that always made me laugh uncontrollably. We still hadn't heard anything about whether or not I was a big sister yet. Soon after getting tucked into bed, Penny came running back up the stairs yelling and laughing and sounding really excited about something. She burst into my room and was loudly telling me "It's a girl, it's a girl!" and dancing around in circles. "You've got a little sister!" she was saying, and I couldn't be more excited. Another great memory I have with my Aunt Penny is when I was about 10 or 11 years old. It was 1998, the 20th anniversary year of the movie "Grease," which I was a huge fan of (I had first seen the movie at Penny & Dannie's house a few years before). Penny got two tickets to a theater showing of Grease and I got dressed up in my poodle skirt and we went and had a great time sharing some popcorn and enjoying the movie together. 

I wish I knew why God needed to bring Penny up to Heaven to be with Him so soon. I know that is something none of us will ever understand, especially now, but He's got a reason for everything, and maybe someday we'll get to see the Big Picture and it will all make sense. For now, I wish I could give endless hugs to my Uncle Dannie, who's always been the strongest and bravest man I've ever known, to my cousins, Sheila & Ginger, who have always been more like big sisters to me, to Graham, Wes, Morgan & Hannah, Penny's beautiful grandchildren who are growing up so fast into some amazing kids, and to the rest of Penny's family and friends, who loved my aunt so much and just wish they could have one more day with her. I pray for God to send down peace and understanding during this difficult time and in the days, months and years ahead as we continue to miss Penny and her smile and laughter in our lives.

Dannie, Sheila, Ginger, Ms.Thelma and all the grandkids, we love you all. We miss Penny very much. You do not know the positive impact all of you have had on us. It has been our privilege to have known your family. "The bay house" has meaning and memories. But seeing a window into your lives has been a blessing we will never forget. As you heal, please remember that we love you and dear Penny is with us always. Keith, Sherry, Jamie and Cameron Swatzel

Dannie, Shelia, Ginger and all the rest of Penny's family,
There is not enough room here for all the wonderful years of memories! You all are in my thoughts and prayers 24/7.  Many hugs and much love to you all!!
Betsy

My mom was fun. She loved laughing.  I will miss her so much!

I'm saddened to hear about Penny's passing. Believe it or not, I didn't realize her first name was Barbara. She was always "Penny" to me. I knew her mainly through Wayne during our days at Heights Christian Church and would see her on occasions at get-togethers with the Hull family whom I've known since "Chi Rho" days at the church. My thoughts and prayers are with Dannie, Mrs. Hull and the rest of the family.

Penny was a classmate of ours at Reagan High School. She was a true Bulldog with school spirit and a kind heart. We will always remember her wonderful smile. I will also remember seeing her at Our church Heights Christian Church along with her mom and dad. Dannie, I am so sorry for your loss. Although it has been 40+ years since we played football together at Reagan, I wanted to let you know that our prayers are with you and your family. Please keep in mind that in times like these, no words can express your loss, only from help from above can we continue in life.
Linda and I pray that the Holy Spirit will be with you now and all the remaining days of your life.
Your old team mate and classmate,
Ronnie Chavez & Linda K (McBride) Chavez

Dannie, I was sorry to hear of the passing of your wife.  You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.  God bless.

Dannie, Know you are in our prayers as are the girls and the rest of your family.  Time eases the loss and God will give you the strength to get through this.  Penny was a wonderful lady. It seems only yesterday you and I were riding in that little red Dodge Colt to SHSU early in the mornings.  She was always the gracious hostess at the gatherings at y'all's home, and the perfect lady putting up with all of the of Tac Squad guys doings.  Please let me know if there's anything I can do.  God Bless You and Yours.mdb

Thanks for everyones wonderful thoughts and sharing of sweet memories.  There are many.  - Sheila Morgan - Lakin

Penny is remembered as a great girl by all who knew her. Our thoughts are with the Morgan family as they face their loss.

A few of us that used to work with Penny at HP just learned of her passing.  We are all shocked and broken-hearted to learn that our friend and colleague whom we all knew to be passionate and full humor has passed from this life to the next.  We just want to thank you for sharing her with us over the years.  We still miss her here at HP, she will be remembered fondly by all of us.  My sincerest condolences.

Dannie, Sheila and Ginger,
Allynn and I are saddened by Penny's passing.  We always enjoyed visiting with her and the all of the family at the various Hull functions.  We remember her vitality and spirit at Wayne's this past New Year's Day.  We are in Seattle so we are unable to be there with you but our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Sincerely,
David Dealy

Thinking and Praying for the Morgan family.  You are in my thoughts and Prayers.

OBITUARY

Barbara "Penny" Morgan

4 December, 1948 – 30 July, 2011

Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home & Forest Park Lawndale

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services