Leigh Denese Penny

Leigh Denese Penny passed away on Friday, November 4, 2016 at her home in Carmichael, California, following hospitalization and a time of pain and discomfort due to colon and bone cancer.  Family, friends and caregivers surrounded Leigh through her years and were able to be with her at this final part of her journey. Leigh knew she would be welcomed and reunited with her loving parents, Jacquelin (Stafford) Penny and J. Russell Penny who predeceased her. She is survived by her sister, The Reverend Lynn D. Penny of Novato, California and by several cousins. Always, in all ways, Leigh expressed her deep appreciation for the family she was blessed to have in her life.

Leigh was born on July 18, 1950 in Billings, Montana and was welcomed by her 3-year-old  sister, Lynn Diane. The family lived in Montana, Cambridge, Massachusetts, Idaho, and Nevada before coming to California and Sacramento in 1966 because her father continued his forty-year employment with the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management. Visits to and from a large family of relatives was important to Leigh as she shared her life.

At the age of 2, Leigh was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and was honored as the CP poster child in 1953. She was educated in the public school system, earned a Master’s Degree from California State University Sacramento in Special Education and was proud of her three teaching credentials.  She lived independently, teaching in Healsburg, CA and later in the San Juan Unified School District. Children loved to be around Leigh as she shared story-telling and singing.  Dealing with bipolar disorder, she brought hope to others by viewing adversity as a great opportunity, not insurmountable. She challenged young people and adults to move beyond their limitations. 

Leigh spent her entire life in leg braces, on crutches, and in wheel chairs but always found the means to be “active” through her determination, perseverance, intelligence and faith.  Caregivers through Alta Regional and the Strategies to Empower People (STEP) program enabled her to attend regular meetings of Toastmasters International and Carmichael Presbyterian Church. The fellowship of this faith community provided a foundational bedrock for Leigh, not only as proverbial "companions along the way" but also as bearers of gifts, skills, insights, patience, generosity and humor to help smooth the path she traveled.

Leigh will be remembered as a writer; She was published in 12 periodicals about overcoming challenges in life; as a motivational speaker who received honors for speaking, up and out, showing how “I Can and So Can You"; as a singer, who had a lovely soprano voice and was a choir member; 

Leigh's positive attitude was expressed through a series of devotionals, Penny’s Prayers, published for her though her church friends. The prayers found their way to many  group presentations and inclusion in program bulletins.

Her dream was to sing at the Metropolitan Opera. She didn't accomplish that but, on the next level of existence, Leigh is singing opera with the Heavenly Host and the chorus is responding, "AMEN".

A Memorial Service as a celebration of Leigh’s life will be Tuesday, November 29th at 11:00 a.m. at Carmichael Presbyterian Church, 5645 Marconi Avenue, Carmichael with a reception following in McMillen Hall.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in Leigh’s honor to Carmichael Presbyterian Church, STEP (HeartFelt Foundation), Hospice of Sacramento, or the local chapter of Toastmaster’s International. Inurnment will be in Sierra Hills Memorial  Park, Sacramento, next to her parents. Please join Leigh's family in sharing memories, or pictures on her tribute wall at www.northsacfuneral.com.

Gifts in Leigh’s memory may be directed to Carmichael Presbyterian Church, 5645 Marconi Ave., Carmichael, CA 95608; STEP HeartFelt Foundation, 3500 W Adams, Blvd., Los Angeles, CA.90018; Sutter Care at Home/Hospice, 3001 Lava Ridge Ct. Ste. 330, Roseville, CA 95661; or to the Ralph  Smedley Memorial Fund, Toastmasters International, P.O. Box 9052, Mission Viejo, CA  92690

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