Mercedes Elizabeth Pennington

Mercedes Elizabeth Pennington passed away at the home of her daughter, Donna, on September 14, 2013. Born in Jacksonville on Liberty Street in the Springfield section of Jacksonville,“Dee” grew up in Riverside. She attended St. Paul’s High in Jacksonville, starring on the basketball team.

After graduation she traveled west to attend the University of North Texas at Arlington. She spent the World War II years even farther west, as her beloved husband, U.S. Marine aviator Richard “Dick” Pennington, flew in the Pacific theater in World War II. Returning briefly to Jacksonville, she resumed more travel during the Korean War until they finally settled in Jacksonville in 1954.

A dedicated wife and mother and active in the community, she was a founding member of Christ the King church. She postponed her lifelong dream of becoming an RN until she began formal studies at the age of 54 in Florida Jr. College, Jacksonville. After graduation she practiced in the Baptist Hospital downtown, then the old St. Lukes Hospital, and was proud to help transition to the new St. Lukes. She retired at the age of 70.

She was preceded in death by her husband of six weeks, John Finkin, and by her husband of 68 years, Richard, her parents Pierre and Edwina Larmoyeux, two brothers and two sisters (Pierre, Mary, Louis, and Julia), her youngest son, John, and daughter-in-law Alice.

Survivors include a sister, Catherine Millan (Harold E.), her son Tom Pennington, daughter Donna Pennington, son Dr. Douglas Pennington (Pam), and, four grandchildren (Eileen, Dan, Ryan, Mary Grace), and six great grandchildren.

The Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, September 20, 2013 in Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home located at 4115 Hendricks Avenue, Jacksonville FL, with Rev. Amar Nagothu as Officiant, followed by interment in Jacksonville National Cemetery, 4083 Lannie Road, Jacksonville, FL 32218.

Words of comfort can be left at www.hardage-giddenshendricksave.com

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home 4115 Hendricks Ave. Jacksonville, FL 32207. (904) 346-3808.