Penny Jo Harp

Penny Jo Harp was born on June 1, 1953 in Bellingham, Washington. She passed away after a short illness on May 20, 2014. Penny is survived by her daughter Lisa, son Lucas, brothers Guy and Greg Bennett and stepmother Jackie Bennett. She is preceded in death by her parents, Peggy and Ralph Bennett.

Most people have an unforgettable character in their lives. But how often do people have the same unforgettable character? If you met her, if you knew her, then Penny Harp was your unforgettable character.

Where to begin? Penny was one of those people who knew a little bit about everything and a whole lot about some things. She would tell stories about fun adventures she’d had like when she shook hands with and sat next to Elvis Presley!! She also had stories of scary adventures like when she was on a mountainside trail ride where a horse slipped and a terrifying decision had to be made. It made you wonder: are there things Penny hadn’t touched on in her life?

Penny didn’t just make friends, she made family. She had an uncanny knack for knowing exactly when to offer support during a friend’s dark hour. She knew when a joke would work best and she knew when a kind word or a sweet story or even a song would be the best medicine. She wasn’t a mind reader but she certainly seemed to be.

Penny was energetic and always anxious to “get on with it.” She never met a task where she didn’t roll up her sleeves and tackle it head on. She had little patience with people who complained, but she had all the time in the world for people with solutions. Yet Penny respected everyone’s actions and thoughts and ideas and she made you feel included, no matter what you brought to the table.

She was a problem solver and she was tough. And yet Penny had a deep kindness that even she didn’t seem to be aware of. She had sway over people and she knew how to influence people in the most remarkable of ways. She was creative, she was smart, and she was funny.

Penny not only lived life, she was involved with life. She spent 54 years of her life in Girl Scouts, garnering pretty much every accolade and honor that Girl Scouts can bestow. Though she didn’t do it for the honor or the awards, she did it because first and foremost, Penny was dedicated to helping others. When her children were in high school she valued and totally enjoyed the Canoeing Special Interest Group through the local Girl Scout Council. She was also involved with the American Red Cross and over the years taught CPR and First Aid to many Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Scout Leaders, neighbors, coworkers and friends.

It’s perfectly fitting that her last career move was to Camp For All, a symbiotic relationship if ever there was one, two entities striving to better the lives of others. Penny never felt like going to work each day was a chore. She was always excited to go to the office and especially enjoyed the times she would get out of the office and drive to the camp in Burton, Texas.

Penny probably didn’t know how many lives she touched. How many lives she changed for the better and changed for the good. Hopefully she had some idea. She never seemed to like hearing about how wonderful she was or how grateful someone was for her help. It wasn’t false modesty, Penny just wasn’t one for sitting around enjoying compliments. She had things to do, places to go, people to see.

She remains with us in our thoughts, our prayers, and when we look at her two children. Most of all, Penny remains in our hearts and she always will.

Gandhi once said “Man becomes great exactly to the degree in which he works for the welfare of his fellow men.” That is what Penny did. This is why she is loved and remembered and mourned.

In lieu of flowers, Penny requested donations be made to Camp For All, American Cancer Society or Girl Scouts of San Jacinto County.