Penelope "Penny" Chace Squire Busher

Born in Waterville, ME the daughter of the late Roger Chace and Geraldine A. (Mosher) Squire, she was a lifelong resident of Swansea.

A graduate of Joseph Case High School, Class of 1961, she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology in 1966 and a Master’s degree in 1968 from Northeastern University. She completed her Seminary at Andover-Newton Theological School in 1985. She was a Biology teacher for four years at Brookline High School. After her marriage, she pursued a career in pastoral counseling at the Souter Center in Fall River. Following her ordination at the First Congregational Church in Swansea, she served several churches in the area, including the First Congregational Church of Marion. Later she was a School Psychologist at Old Rochester Regional High School until retirement.

An avid sailor and swimmer from her earliest years, she competed in club racing throughout her childhood. She especially loved her Starboat and chasing a moonbeam home at the end of a perfect day. In retirement, she enjoyed a seafaring life aboard “Penny’s Spirit.” She also enjoyed attending theater and symphony performances, hosting unforgettable theme parties, playing her guitar, backpacking in the woods, and raising an endless stream of big dogs, including Labrador Retrievers and later in life, “Swissies.” A dedicated volunteer with her therapy dog, Deena, they both brought joy to young children at Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence.

With an appreciation for world cuisine, she delighted in experiencing different cultures, her own Celtic heritage, and a month-long sojourn through Scotland. There were many other journeys to Russia, Greece, Switzerland, the Caribbean, the Rose Bowl Parade, and western parts of the USA to name but a few.

She is survived by two loving daughters, Meredith Anne Busher and her husband Gilberto Rivera of Swansea and Ellen Lane Busher and her husband Christopher Dancy of West Roxbury; one sister, Pamela Lane and her husband Richard of South Portland, ME; three granddaughters, Josephine Lane Dancy, Willow Chace Dancy and Paloma Rivera-Orsorio and one grandson, Jasper Gene Busher Dancy.

Her Funeral Service will be Friday, October 6, 2023, at 10:00 AM in the Waring-Sullivan Home at Birchcrest, 189 Gardners Neck Road, Swansea. Relatives and friends are invited. Visiting hours are Thursday from 4:00 – 7:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her honor may be made to Case High School Scholarship Trust, Inc., Memo: Busher Scholarship, PO Box 33, Swansea, MA 02777. Burial will be private. For tributes and directions, www.waring-sullivan.com