Ms. Margaret Ann Penna's Obituary
Margaret Ann Penna left this earth July 16, 2019 to join the Lord that she so joyfully and loudly worshipped. Everyone who knew Margaret (or just made eye contact) knew how much she loved the Lord, even the grocery store clerks.
Margaret often said that she was going to write a memoir, and with a heart the size of Texas and a personality to match, it would have been a page-turner full of love, joy and unbelievable adventures, but also plagued by loss, illness and sadness. Despite her struggles she never lost her giggle, sparkling blue eyes and the gift of an expansive (and often colorful) vocabulary. All who knew her will most remember her amazing capacity to enthusiastically and unconditionally love everyone she met.
Her legacy is one of love, laughter, and outrageous stories. A descendant of Irish immigrants, she loved to tell us the stories passed down from her grandfather Bobo. They were just as unbelievable as the ones she created in her seventy-seven years, where she proudly starred as the main character, that we will be telling and retelling for years to come.
Margaret never met a stranger and could connect with people in an instant. We’ll never know the depths of her family because she attracted and welcomed people that were in need of love or a place to call home.
She was born on July 5, 1942 and was the first-born daughter to Catherine and Lawrence Harris in Houston, Texas. She was soon followed by her beloved siblings Lawrence ‘Butch’ Harris, Kathleen Whitmarsh, Michael Harris, Mary Teresa Whatley, Ann Soletto and Susan Jackson. Margaret was forever grateful that those silblings extended their family by bringing in their spouses whom she loved just as much, Kenneth Whitmarsh, Simon Whatley and Pam Harris. She also had scores of what she called her precious nieces and nephews and always spoke fondly and with a twinkle in her eye of her Penna sisters.
Her world revolved around her children Robert Jr., Steven, Joseph, and Michelle and she kept a special place in her heart for their present and past partners Vickie, Kyle, Danica, and Debbie. She was graced, and as she would say blessed, with the most beautiful and talented grandchildren- Kimberly Michele, Amber, Christopher, Asher, Rory, Jessica, Josephine, and Braeden, along with great-grandchildren Ayden, Taydrien, Layton, and Gatlin.
Margaret Ann’s last wish was to be buried in a black negligee and for there to be multiple funerals across Texas where revivals of hearts and souls would shake the ground and wake the dead. However, we talked her out of it and instead will be laying her to rest with one celebration in Pearland, Texas. The force of her spirit will be missed here on earth, but those who knew her know that she is having a good time in heaven having that party she was looking forward to with her adored son Joey, her beautiful brothers Mike and Butch, her parents, and all of the other revered relatives who went before her.
Please join us to celebrate her life and legacy with a Rosary Service from 5:00-6:00 PM on July 25th, administered by her cousin, Ed Benedix, followed that evening by a visitation from 6:00-9:00. The funeral service will be held July 26th at 10:00AM and will be officiated by her spirited sister and brother-in-law Pastors Mary Theresa and Simon Whatley. All services will be held at the South Park Funeral Home located at 1310 North Main Street, Pearland, TX, 77581. The family respectfully asks that in lieu of flowers you consider making a donation to the National Alliance for Mental Health -
https://namicentraltx.org/.
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