Penny Choon Fuller

FULLER, Penny Choon, age 82, went to Heaven on May 6, 2018. Her husband of 43 years, Jerry Carroll Fuller, preceded her in 2003. She is survived by an older sister in South Korea, and by daughters, Nancy Cooper (& Dave) in Arizona, Tomie Johnson (& Eddy) in Utah, and Patty Esquivel (& Eddie) also in Utah. Penny also leaves behind beloved grandchildren, Matthew Cooper (& Evony) in Colorado, Elena Esquivel and Julia Esquivel in Utah.

Penny was born October 6, 1935 in what is now Seoul, South Korea. In addition to her native language of Korean, Penny also spoke Japanese and English fluently. She was working as a switchboard operator when she met and married Sgt. Jerry Fuller of the U.S. Army. Jerry and Penny were married 43 years when Jerry went to Heaven in 2003. The Fullers lived in South Korea, Germany and Okinawa. They also lived in Georgia, New York and Texas before settling in Arizona.

Penny enjoyed spending time with family and friends. She was a gifted gardener able to grow just about anything, even in Tucson’s arid climate. She enjoyed road trips and the wide-open spaces of her beloved United States. She was a natural in the kitchen and never used a recipe. She could sew, knit and crochet. She had an entrepreneurial spirit and owned an import-export business. She had a way of dispensing advice that stuck…a few of our favorites, “just because you can, doesn’t mean you should,” and, “even monkeys sometimes fall from trees,” and, “make the unselfish choice, then you won’t regret it.”

Penny’s greatest joy came from raising her three daughters and sharing in their lives. Grandchildren brought even more joy to her life. The love she had for her daughters, sons-in-law, and grandchildren could not have been greater. Her family knew they were especially blessed by a mom and grandmother like Penny. She was humble and kind, she did not boast, she was not proud, she was not rude or self-seeking, she was generous, she protected, she hoped and she persevered. Her love never failed.

Penny became a Christian on January 28, 1997 while in Toronto visiting her sister. When she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in March 2017, her faith in Jesus and the love of her family sustained her. She spent the next 13 months visiting with precious family and dear friends from near and far. She lived those 13 months with incredible peace, not once fearing what came next. She passed quietly in her home, with her family holding her hands and watching over her. Penny’s faith in Jesus allowed her to calmly accept the path before her and to face it with courage and grace.

Penny said often that she had a good life. She said she wants only happy tears when she’s gone.

Memorial service to be held graveside at East Lawn Palms Cemetery, 10am on May 11, 2018.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (www.pancan.org).