Martha Mary Pennell

December 26, 2018

Martha Kissane Pennell passed away peacefully on December 26, 2018 at Good Samaritan Village in Loveland, Colorado. She was born May 2, 1945 in Chicago, Illinois, to Francis and Mary Kissane and was the oldest of four children. Martha attended St. Mel’s grammar school and graduated in 1963 from Sienna High School. She was active in sports and also modeled at Marshall Fields in downtown Chicago. She attended Chicago Teachers College before transferring to Colorado State University in 1964. There, she met the love of her life, Charles (Chuck) Pennell, whom she married in 1968. After settling in Loveland, she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Northern Colorado. In addition to raising three children, she taught elementary school in Loveland from 1976 to 1985. Although she loved all grade levels, she had a special place in her heart for her first graders because she loved teaching them to read. Mrs. Pennell is remembered for nurturing and loving her students. She was active in her community – from tennis to church to politics to serving on the YMCA Board – and also pursued her passion for fine art, especially her beautiful pen and ink renderings of people and landscapes. Though she faced ongoing medical challenges, Martha never quit entertaining friends, shopping, drinking Diet Dr. Pepper, eating decadent desserts, and watching old Westerns. Martha is survived by her children: Anne (Carl) Chillman of Lakewood, Colorado, and John (Molly) Pennell of Park City, Utah; her daughter-in-law, Ellen Pennell of Hastings, Nebraska; her siblings: Jeanne (Joe) Sikora of Joliet, Illinois, Sheila (Allen) Mellor of Shelton, Washington, and Michael (Janice) Kissane, of Plainfield, Illinois; and her much-loved grandchildren: Wyatt and Hudson Pennell, Avery and Scarlett Chillman, and Zoe Pennell. Martha was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her son, Mark Pennell. A funeral mass and reception will be held at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Loveland, Colorado, on Saturday, January 12 at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, kindly direct your generosity toward your favorite education-based charity.