Mary Frances Penna

September 2, 1948~February 17, 2021

Always Loved....Sorely Missed...Never Forgotten

Mary F. Penna, age 72, passed away February 17, 2021 after a valiant battle against COVID-19 in Myrtle Beach, SC, where she had resided since 2011. Born, September 2, 1948, Mary grew up in Falls Church, VA. She graduated from Falls Church High School in 1966.

She worked for the U.S. Treasury Department, during her early career, attended and graduated from seminary school (NY) and served as a missionary, working with mostly children and young adults around the globe, including South Africa, Ukraine and Malta just to name a few. After her missionary work, Mary worked for Mass Benefits in Annandale, VA for 19 years before she chose to retire. Mary's favorite place to be was at the beach, so it's no surprise she relocated to Myrtle Beach, SC in 2011. Mary enjoyed living the beach life and was known for her amazing hugs, wonderful sense of humor, wisdom, love for delicious food, travel, children, cooking, enjoyment for all things “tea,” and most of all, her immense love for Jesus. "Momma Mary" was a woman of faith and an active member of the Beach Assembly of God, where she regularly worshiped.

Mary leaves behind 6 nieces and nephews: Andrea Lawson (Donald Snodgrass), Anthony Ofano, Teresa Ofano, Charles Ofano, Denise (Robert McKoy) and Michelle Ofano; 5 great nieces and nephews: Matthew Tabor, Reginald Edwards, William Fagan, Madison (Patrick Farinholt) and Alyssa Ofano; and 2 great-great nieces: Abigail Farinholt and Savannah Edwards. Mary also leaves behind a vast community of beloved friends and families whom she loved and who adored her. Mary was preceded in death by her father, Albert T. Penna, her mother, Virginia (Spragg), and her brother, Charles J. Ofano.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, March 13, 2021 at 11:00AM at Beach Assembly of God (20 Bliss Road, NW, Ocean Isle Beach, NC 28469), with a Reception to follow and optional Balloon Release at the Ocean Isle Beach (access by Islander Inn - look for the white cross on the dunes). If you are unable to attend the service in person, you may participate via live stream through (Facebook) https://www.facebook.com/BeachAG/ or YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChNl71yQFVnPAWph-IFNWiQ).

On line condolences may be sent to:  www.brunswickfuneralservice.com.

Donations in memory of Mary Penna may be made to help open the Rose House, the women's campus affiliated with the Brunswick Christian Recovery Center, through their website at bcrcrecovery.org, or by sending a check payable to Rose House (PO Box 3091, Shallotte, NC 28459).