Penelope "Penny" Anne (Jones) McCusker Hunt

After a brief illness, Penelope (“Penny”) A. McCusker Hunt of Orleans, MA, and Santa Rosa Beach, FL, spent her final days surrounded by her adoring family and dear friends, and in the loving care of the staff at McCarthy Care Center in Sandwich, MA, until her peaceful passing. Penny is the wife of Gary J. Hunt.

Born Penelope Anne Jones (Boston) to Dr. Oakley R. and Mrs. Mary T. Jones, Penny was raised in Melrose, MA, spending summers in Falmouth, where she developed her love for all things Cape Cod. After graduating from Our Lady of Nazareth Academy in Wakefield, MA, Penny was married and began a family, which she raised in her childhood home in Melrose.

An intellectually curious and dynamic person, Penny had diverse interests, appreciating the Cape’s natural environment – ocean, beaches, and Martha’s Vineyard, in particular, – the country and culture of France, sailing, home and landscape design, hosting traditional family gatherings, and a penchant for hot fudge sundaes (with marshmallow, not whipped cream).

She was a proud American, who loved patriotic music, and an animal lover, who had many pets through the years. Penny was a devout Catholic, and her personal and well-worn bible was the source of daily inspiration and never far from her reach.

After Penny enjoyed a highly successful career in laboratory sciences throughout New England, she and her husband Gary moved to Santa Rosa Beach, FL, and began a 25-year career in the hospitality industry, operating the renowned restaurant Basmati’s Asian Cuisine. Her time in Florida led to many wonderful relationships with friends, customers, and especially the people with whom she worked. They meant the world to her.

More than anything else, Penny loved all members of her family, and she demonstrated a remarkable devotion to her seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Penny is predeceased by her parents, Oakley R. and Mary T. Jones, as well as her brother Oakley Jones, Jr. (Rosemary). She leaves behind her husband of 28 years, Gary Hunt; two siblings: Stephen Jones of Melrose, MA (Dawn), and Melissa Hall of Falmouth, MA; her three children: David McCusker, Jr. of Melrose, MA (Stephanie), Kristen Nugnes of Barnstable, MA (Peter), Allyson McCusker of Orleans, MA (Michael Maguire); her seven grandchildren: Colin McCusker (Caroline), Cameron McCusker (Hedi Droste), Nathaniel Nugnes, Marytalia Nugnes, Caroline Kelley, Annaleia Nugnes, and Alexandra Maguire; her great-grandchild, Paige McCusker; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to attend visiting hours on Sunday, May 4, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Nickerson Funeral Home, 77 Eldredge Parkway, Orleans. A funeral mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, May 5, at St. Joan of Arc Church, 61 Canal Road, Orleans, followed by a burial ceremony at the Orleans Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Penny’s memory may be made to McCarthy Care Center (https://www.capecodhealth.org/), Food for the Poor (https://foodforthepoor.org/), or any other charitable organization.