Marjorie Penni, 90, of Boxford, Massachusetts, passed away on Friday, June 2, 2023, from complications of an ongoing illness. Her sons were with her at the time of her passing.
She was the wife of Joseph Penni, who had predeceased her in 2020. Joe and Marge had been married for 68 years.
Born in 1932 in Lowell, Massachusetts, she was the oldest daughter of Arthur and Eva Marie (Desjardins) Birchenough.
A graduate of Lowell High School’s Class of 1950 and their homecoming queen of that year, she went on to graduate from Bradshaw Business School and enjoyed a successful career as a freelance model for the Lowell Sun and other commercial publications.
She met her future husband while visiting her cousin Phyllis Doliber in Marblehead. Joe and Marge were married in 1952, settled in Marblehead and raised four sons. In the early ’80s, they built a house in Boxford and moved there upon its completion. After the sons were grown, she and Joe started to spend time in North Palm Beach, Florida, during the winter.
She loved living in Boxford, being in the woods with nature and flower gardens. She loved animals — not only her own cats, but her son Rob’s dogs and other people’s pets she would care for. She was a supporter of the MSPCA and Animal Rescue.
In later years, she enjoyed helping her son Jon in the office at his metal shop. She liked being around people.
As time went on, Joe developed dementia, which demanded a great deal of her time and energy. She was greatly aided by her son Rob, who lived with and took care of both parents for years, and some absolutely wonderful health aides who stayed on to take care of Marge after Joe’s death. Joe and Marge both lived at home until their very final days.
She is survived by her four sons, Jay Penni and his wife Dinny Myerson of Waltham, Massachusetts; Samuel Penni III and his wife Leslee of Houston, Texas; Robert Penni of Boxford, Massachusetts, and Jonathan Penni of Danvers, Massachusetts.
She is also survived by her grandson, Simon Penni of Waltham, Massachusetts; her sister, Wilhelmina Rogers and nephew Timothy Rogers, of Dracut, Massachusetts; sister in-law Anne Penni of Marblehead, and by numerous nieces and nephews. Marge was loved, and she will be missed. Her life will be celebrated in a private ceremony in the near future. In lieu of flowers, Marge would have suggested a donation to help animals. For more information or online guestbook, visit MurphyFuneralHome.com or call 978-744-0497.
