Penelope S. Filiatrault

Penelope (Penny) S. Filiatrault, 88, of Ft. Myers, Florida, died Saturday, March 7, 2026, at The Cottage at Cypress Cove. Penny was born January 23, 1938, in Northwood, North Dakota. She was the daughter of Alvin Smeby and Evelyn Goranson Smeby. Penny graduated from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks in 1960 with a B.S. in Business Education and a minor in English. Her junior year she was named president of her sorority, Delta Zeta. On August 16, 1959, before beginning her senior year of college, Penny married Edward (Ed) Filiatrault of Thief River Falls, Minnesota. After graduation, they moved to Illinois where Penny worked as an elementary school teacher in Bloomingdale and then Peru. She resigned when they decided to start a family. Their daughter Kim was born in March 1963 and son John followed in October 1965. Missing teaching and being around children, Penny returned to teaching from 1971 - 1977. She taught nursery school and preschool in Naperville, Northbrook and then back to Naperville, where she and Ed resided until Ed retired. Penny had a gift of being able to teach even the most reluctant or remedial reader to read by using phonics. When Ed retired they moved to Ely, Minneapolis, located on the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. Penny enjoyed walking, boating and cross country skiing as a way to enjoy the natural beauty of MN. Penny and Ed eventually migrated to the warmer temperatures in Ft. Myers, FL.

Penny enjoyed domestic and international travel with her husband. She was an avid golfer and once registered a hole-in-one at the Lexington Country Club in Ft. Myers. She also enjoyed attending the theater, quilting, cheering on the Yankees, researching genealogy to trace her Swedish roots, walking along the Florida beaches collecting seashells, and cooking. Her grandkids named her the “best cookie baker.” Her greatest joy was spending time with her family, who she called her treasures. Penny devoted her life to giving them the gift of her time and presence, all while making sure they knew they were prayed for and deeply loved. Penny loved being around people and never met a stranger. She had a joyful and optimistic spirit. She put others first always making you feel heard, cared for and lifted up. Penny was a lifelong Lutheran. Prior to moving into memory care, she was a faithful member of Peace Lutheran Church in Ft. Myers where she served on several hospitality committees.

Penny was preceded in death by her mother and father, and her husband of 55 years. She is lovingly and gratefully remembered by her daughter Kim (Denny), her son John (Nancy), grandson Jacob (Meghan) and granddaughter Natalie.

A private family graveside service will be held at the Northwood Cemetery in Northwood, North Dakota.

The family would like to express their deep and abiding gratitude to those caring for Penny at Cypress Cove as well as the hospice care providers at VITAS Healthcare. The level of compassion and loving care they showed Penny and her family was beyond compare.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida and Peace Lutheran Church.