1939
Lynne
2024
Lynne Pennell
December 16, 1939 — November 7, 2024
Lynne P. Pennell (nee Pawlitz), passed away peacefully with her daughters at her side on November 7, 2024 at the age of 84. She was preceded in death by her husband Gerald Pennell.
Lynne was born in 1939, the only child of Fred and Elsa Pawlitz of Old Greenwich, Connecticut. She was a studious young girl who enjoyed reading, athletics, the arts, and service work. Lynne graduated from Greenwich High School in 1957. She attended Bucknell University where she received her B.A. in Sociology in 1961. She went on to study social work at Boston University School of Social Work, earning her M.S. in 1963. She then embarked on a 43 year career as a social worker.
While in graduate school, Lynne met and married her first husband, Ronald Kesinger and they settled in the Boston area. They had two daughters, Amy and Anne. In 1973 they moved to Jacksonville, Illinois to live near family. They later divorced.
In 1992, Lynne married Gerald Pennell of Jacksonville. They settled in a house on Leland Lake in Jacksonville with their little dog Boo. Together they enjoyed traveling, cooking, trying new foods, and spending time with friends and family. They were married for 30 years before he passed away in 2022.
Lynne was proud of her long career as a social worker. Her early work focused on social services in Massachusetts. After moving to Illinois, Lynne continued her career working 12 years at the Jacksonville Development Center, followed by 18 years at Sangamon Area Special Education District. She also had experience as a sociology instructor at Illinois College, as a social worker with Four Rivers Special Education District, and in private practice.
Lynne was a long time member of Sorosis Literary Society and Rotary Club of Jacksonville. An avid reader, she enjoyed her local book club gatherings. She regularly visited her daughters and their families in New York and Chicago and especially loved Broadway shows and shopping.
In her final years, Lynne resided near her daughter Amy in the Chicago suburbs, enjoying time with her daughters and grandchildren. There she received care for her progressing dementia.
Lynne is survived by her daughters Amy (John) Phelan, Anne (Don) Pollard and her step children Bronna (Butch) Hermes, Eric (Tammy) Pennell, and Carrie (James) Filla. She was the proud grandmother to nine grandchildren: John, Anne (Eder) Villagomez (nee Phelan), Samantha, Joseph, George, Lizzie Phelan; Madeline, Jackson and Max Pollard; one step-grandson, Brandon (Paige) Pennell; and two great-grandchildren, Ezra and Elora Villagomez.
Private burial will take place at The Sound Beach Avenue Cemetery in Old Greenwich, CT. A Celebration of Lynne’s Life will be held at a later date for family and friends. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Maddie Fund for Mental Health and Wellness https://www.themaddiefund.com or the Cure Alzheimer’s Fund https://curealz.org
Lynne was born in 1939, the only child of Fred and Elsa Pawlitz of Old Greenwich, Connecticut. She was a studious young girl who enjoyed reading, athletics, the arts, and service work. Lynne graduated from Greenwich High School in 1957. She attended Bucknell University where she received her B.A. in Sociology in 1961. She went on to study social work at Boston University School of Social Work, earning her M.S. in 1963. She then embarked on a 43 year career as a social worker.
While in graduate school, Lynne met and married her first husband, Ronald Kesinger and they settled in the Boston area. They had two daughters, Amy and Anne. In 1973 they moved to Jacksonville, Illinois to live near family. They later divorced.
In 1992, Lynne married Gerald Pennell of Jacksonville. They settled in a house on Leland Lake in Jacksonville with their little dog Boo. Together they enjoyed traveling, cooking, trying new foods, and spending time with friends and family. They were married for 30 years before he passed away in 2022.
Lynne was proud of her long career as a social worker. Her early work focused on social services in Massachusetts. After moving to Illinois, Lynne continued her career working 12 years at the Jacksonville Development Center, followed by 18 years at Sangamon Area Special Education District. She also had experience as a sociology instructor at Illinois College, as a social worker with Four Rivers Special Education District, and in private practice.
Lynne was a long time member of Sorosis Literary Society and Rotary Club of Jacksonville. An avid reader, she enjoyed her local book club gatherings. She regularly visited her daughters and their families in New York and Chicago and especially loved Broadway shows and shopping.
In her final years, Lynne resided near her daughter Amy in the Chicago suburbs, enjoying time with her daughters and grandchildren. There she received care for her progressing dementia.
Lynne is survived by her daughters Amy (John) Phelan, Anne (Don) Pollard and her step children Bronna (Butch) Hermes, Eric (Tammy) Pennell, and Carrie (James) Filla. She was the proud grandmother to nine grandchildren: John, Anne (Eder) Villagomez (nee Phelan), Samantha, Joseph, George, Lizzie Phelan; Madeline, Jackson and Max Pollard; one step-grandson, Brandon (Paige) Pennell; and two great-grandchildren, Ezra and Elora Villagomez.
Private burial will take place at The Sound Beach Avenue Cemetery in Old Greenwich, CT. A Celebration of Lynne’s Life will be held at a later date for family and friends. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Maddie Fund for Mental Health and Wellness https://www.themaddiefund.com or the Cure Alzheimer’s Fund https://curealz.org
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Lynne Pennell, please visit our flower store.
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