Emmarene "Rena" B. Bartholomae Pennington

Rena was born in El Paso, Texas in 1919 and raised by Earnst and Ellen Bartholomae, a German immigrant family. Her father was a carpenter and her mother a homemaker. She had one brother Otto, who became Deputy Sheriff of El Paso. As a youth, Rena loved to dance, do gymnastics and loved the outdoors, playing field hockey, volley ball and working as a skating-waitress at the local drive-in. She graduated from high school and then attended a business school to become a secretary.

At the beginning of WWII. Rena married Wiliam Y. Pennington, a young Army officer at Fort Bliss. They spent much of their career in Germany and Switzerland where Colonel Pennington became Defense and Military Attache to the American Embassy. As a wife of a diplomat, Rena was not allowed to work so she spent her time in various clubs and organizations, among which her favorites were the American Womans Club and art classes. Once her husband retired in Bern Switzerland, Rena got a job driving the school bus for the International School in Bern and traveled extensively.

After 35 years overseas, Rena moved to Baltimore to be closer to her only daughter, Susan L. Pennington and her husband William B. Sherman, residents of Towson for 35 years. She joined Grace United Methodist Church in 2006.

She was known for her sense of humor and love of life. Often the life of a party, Rena liked being with people and was much loved by all.

A Memorial Service to celebrated Rena's life will be held in 2nd Floor Lounge of Edenwald, 600 Southerly Road, Towson, Maryland 21286 on Friday, December 16 at 3:30pm. Interment Private. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be directed in Rena's memory to the Maryland S.P.C.A., 3300 Falls Road, Baltimore, Maryland 21211. A Guest Registry is available at www.lemmonfuneralhome.com