HUNTINGTON – Nancy Susan Sena Penn, 31 October 1937 – 27 December 2023, aged 86.
Nancy was one of five children of Christine Zapka Sena and Andrew Sena of Park Hill Orchards in Easthampton, Massachusetts. Both of her parents were of Slovak descent and active in the local Slovak community of Easthampton. She was predeceased by her immediate family including brothers Donald, David, Larry and sister Midge (Margaret). She is survived by her sons Jeffrey Scott Penn (and wife Susan Dion, children Nijel and Ashlin Dion) and Joel Stuart Penn (and wife Kim Penn, children Jacob Penn, Christopher Fulton and great-grandchildren Leah, Ariah and Charlotte Fulton).
She grew up in Easthampton with a close and loving family in a vibrant community. In High School, she participated in Glee club and was a cheerleader and Class Secretary. She loved to sing and was a member of the choirs at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Hatfield, Trinity Lutheran Church, Easthampton and Russell Community Church. She trained briefly at Smith College in Opera. Nancy married in 1959. After adventures in Greely, Colorado and Windsor Locks, Connecticut, she settled in Huntington in 1961 to raise her sons, divorcing when they were adults.
Her work included secretary at a hospital in Greely, CO and at Pratt and Whitney in Hartford. She was a Stanley Home Products hostess and returned to school to earn her Masters in both Business and Education at Westfield State, along with many other certifications. She went on to be a special education educator, caring for and turning around many youth at several institutions including substituting at Gateway School District, and full-time teaching at West Springfield Job Corps, Pace Center, Peck Middle School in Holyoke and Springfield Public Schools. She never forgot her students and always held on to her love of teaching.
Friends and family will never forget her firecracker spirit, intelligence and generosity.
Nancy was an amazing mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, always up for adventure and fun, and ready for mischief and silliness.
A wake for Nancy Penn will be held at Mitchell Funeral Home at 15 Park Street, Easthampton, Massachusetts on Thursday, 11 January 2024 from 10 a.m. to noon with a Celebration of her life at 11:30 followed by burial.
In lieu of flowers, you may make a donation to Hilltown Community Ambulance, 1 Bromley Road, Huntington, MA 01050
