Stephanie Anne Penney

Stephanie Anne Penney, devoted wife, loving mother and adoring grandmother slipped away silently and peacefully to be held in God’s hands on October 11th, 2023 in the presence of her immediate family in Evergreen, Colorado. Stephanie fought Parkinson’s disease for the last several years, but the disease finally took her from her loving husband, family and friends.

Stephanie was born on June 4^th, 1948 in Olympia, Washington to Hugh L. and Miriam R. Mickelson. In her early years, the family moved to Sacramento, California where Stephanie went through her Elementary and High School years. Her contagious smile and vibrant personality won her the adoration of so many of her classmates and dear friends who have remained so all the way up into her 75^th year. She was active in numerous school activities including The Latin Club, GAA Bacchants of Euripides, A’Cappella, and volunteered as a “Candy Striper”, to learn basic nursing. Upon graduation from Burbank High School, Stephanie set her sights on furthering her education at Sacramento City College, and softened any financial impacts by working as a clerk at the Sacramento Sky Ranch, a local flight school.

In her high school years, Stephanie and John Penney of Elk Grove, California met, but they had yet to date. In John’s freshman year at the Air Force Academy, the two started writing letters to one another that blossomed into a budding romance. When Stephanie flew out to Colorado for the Academy’s “June Week” in 1967, the two fell in love and knew they would be spending a loving lifetime together. In October 1968, She moved to Colorado Springs where they could be closer together, secured a job with Ampex Corp. and the two enjoyed a fun social life there and into John’s graduation and commissioning on June 3^rd, 1970.

John’s Air Force assignments dictated where her domiciles would be and after their twin daughters, Heather Renee’ and Cecily Jill Penney were born at Davis-Monthan AFB in Arizona, they were shipped off to Wheeler AFB in Hawaii where Stephanie was hoping they could settle for the rest of their lives. Wasn’t to be however, as John’s aviation commitments took him to Reno, Nevada, Englewood and finally Evergreen, Colorado.

Stephanie loved sewing, quilting, cooking, socializing (partying with friends), and above all, raising their daughters, being the prime example of how to be the best person one could be.

She is missed so by her husband John, daughters Heather Renee’ Penney and Cecily Jill Duffield, and grandchildren, Sierra Renee’ Penney Garcia, Mercedes Alejandra Garcia and Aaron Scott Duffield.

Stephanie wanted to be interred at the Air Force Academy Cemetery. A memorial will be held at the Academy at a date to be determined, where in the future, she and John can be together until eternity.