Margaret J. (Chalmers) Penney

“Go placidly amid the noise and the haste” were words Margaret lived by. She led a simple life; she loved her family, her garden, and being creative. She woke up each day to a cup of tea and a stroll down to the barn her husband, Bill, had remodeled so she would have a quiet place to sit and take in the world around her. She wasn’t one to draw attention to herself, nor was she someone who spoke ill of others. She was an eternal optimist and naturally looked for the silver lining in all situations. Even in her final weeks of life, when asked how she was doing, she would respond: “I’m getting better.” She was actually a good person, not because she is no longer with us, but because that’s how everyone who ever knew her would describe her. She would have long chats with strangers at the grocery, oftentimes with them talking and her listening. She would give to every charity that called during dinner time, she welcomed passers by, who just wanted to drop off a pamphlet, into her garden to visit, and if you needed something and she had it, she would go out of her way to give it to you. Her husband describes her as the most trustworthy, loyal person he knew.

Margaret is and will always be one of the kindest souls you would ever meet. If you were lucky enough to have known her, you already know this. Her diagnosis of ALS and dementia were two worst case scenarios, but she handled them with the pride and stubbornness that would make the English proud.

She is survived by her husband, three children and their spouses, and five grandchildren.

She will be greatly missed.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the ALS Association Northern Ohio Chapter in Margaret’s name, https://secure2.convio.net/alsa/site/Donation2;jsessionid=00000000.app20096a?df_id=34684&34684.donation=form1&NONCE_TOKEN=179E86898B457C304A3BBECFA236F818

Services in care of Bissler & Sons Funeral Home and Crematory, 628 West Main Street, Kent, OH 44240.