Born in Norfolk, Virginia on January 5, 1944, Penny was the daughter of Frank Cecil and Vada Cowan (Burns) Duff. She grew up in the Norfolk/Portsmouth area and, as a younger person, she spent quality time with her family in the Lebanon/Russell County areas of the Virginia mountains where she was surrounded by aunts, uncles and cousins who all contributed to her gentile, Southern charm.
Penny’s family roots are steeped in exceptional service to our country. Her ancestry includes incredible acts of bravery and heroism spanning conflicts dating back to the American Revolution. Her great grandfather, Samuel Duff, was a prisoner of war during the US Civil War. In 1962, her brother, Frank Jr., was tragically killed on a military assignment while deployed in Panama.
In 1959 Penny’s family relocated to Lake Park, Florida. It’s there she met the love of her life, Dave Wells. They were married in 1964. Together they raised two sons, David and Frankie. Penny would frequently speak of the best years of her life were those years spent raising her boys. She would later be blessed with five grandchildren. To Penny, there was no greater joy than having her family together.
Career-wise, Penny provided administrative and reception support in the legal and banking industries for a decade. Her most fulfilling work came in the form of caring for children. Her pure, unending mother’s love was offered freely to the children she had the pleasure of providing love and care. Names like Hanako, Briana, Donnie, Asha, Ashton, Hunter and Taylor cleansed her soul. She loved them all as she loved her own children and grandchildren. Penny strongly believed that we adults have the obligation to preserve the innocence of God’s children as long as was allowable. She would often mention that once they become adults they are adults forever, but they are children for only a short time.
Some of Penny’s most rewarding work was her volunteer mentorship through the First Baptist Church of West Palm Beach, now Family Church. She first volunteered with the Crisis Pregnancy Center, mentoring young women on the joys and challenges young parents face and the importance of living in a way consistent with Christ’s teaching. She also volunteered in the Church nursery most Sunday mornings for more than 20 years. It was there she touched the hearts of countless children. An active volunteer until just last year, she considered this work among the joys of her life.
Penny is survived by her husband of 57 years, Dave; her children, David (Lynn) of Wellington, Frankie (Melissa) of Riverview; grandchildren: Haley, David III, Ashley, Luke and Megan; numerous nieces, nephews and their spouses and children.
Penny was preceded in death by her sister, Virginia, her brother, Frankie, and her parents.
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