Penny Lynn Valladares

Penny pioneered rock and roll catering in KC as owner of the legendary Backstage Cafe. She was an iconic figure in the music scene. Her encounters from Bob Dylan to Sting are contemporary folklore. http://rockandrollstories.info/ As "Caterer to the Stars" and the "Crystal Lady of Rock and Roll," she gave away quartz crystals to all. As an early Beatles fan, she wanted to give "something back" to the music that she loved. She retired the company at its zenith after catering the Pink Floyd stadium tour of the late eighties.

She moved to Eureka Springs, Arkansas with her husband Mark Valladares and her kids to open the Moonwater Mercantile, a new age crystal shop/organic food store. In Eureka she served as president of the National Water Center, committed to preservation of the sacred springs. A prolific writer, she documented her rock and roll stories and explored the mysteries from Crop Circles to Mayan Goddess archetypes. A longtime student of the WiseWoman tradition she became a well-respected herbalist and aromatherapist and created Penmark Potions. As an advocate of women's causes and social justice, she understood the links between goddess myths, nature, the body/mind connection and healing.

Penny found the great love of her life with Mark and together they travelled to sacred sites in Mexico, England, Scotland, Spain, Canada, and all over the US. They enjoyed attending concerts, visiting friends and family, eating great food and collaborating on projects together. They were inseparable and happily married for thirty seven years. Penny's kindness and generosity knew no bounds. Her love, knowledge, entrepreneurship and wisdom inspired many women who crossed her path, to pursue their dreams.

Upon returning to KC she extensively researched her geneaology. This culminated in an epic journey to Scotland. With remarkable persistence she used a 120 year old letter to find her family's ancestral site of Stroneveigh, which had been eradicated from the historical records.

She is survived by her beloved husband, Mark Valladares; her children, Ambre Brown, Brodie Rush (her favorite musician); her grandchildren, Amatista Rodriguez-Rush, Nova Moon Gold Rush, and Keely Brown; her siblings, Gerry Stronach, Ronny Stronach, and Karen Ladish; and many friends and family

Please join us in Celebrating the Life of Penny on Sunday, May 26th, 2024 from 6:30pm - 9:30pm at Indian Creek Recreation Center Shelter, 10308 Marty St. Overland Park, KS, 66212 and enjoy some refreshments and remember the amazing person that she was. In lieu of flowers please donate to Penny's favorite charities. Women for Women, International and Advance Native Political Leadership.