1927-2013

DIXFIELD — The angels came and cradled mom in their arms in the early morning hours of Tuesday, July 16.

Lillian Mae Penley, 85, was born on August 29, 1927, in Temple, a daughter of Eddie and Hazel (Hardy) Jackson. She received her education in Weld schools and married Walter Penley. He predeceased her on Oct. 8, 2006.

Lillian was a devoted wife and mother, and also worked outside of the home at Diamond Match for many years. She was a woman of great faith, and was a member of the Dixfield Church of the Nazarene.

In the words of her grateful children, “Mom loved to cook and had family come for all the holidays. She would stay up and bake all night for Thanksgiving. She always made 20-plus pies — everybody’s favorite. Her home was beautifully decorated inside and out for Christmas, and we all got platters of homemade chocolates, Needham’s and fudge for Christmas. We also can’t forget the homemade Easter eggs everybody received. She loved to knit and crochet and do crafts, especially dolls. She liked to garden and have flower gardens. She loved God and read the Bible every day.”

She is survived by six children, Lorraine Welch of Dixfield, Philip Penley of Peru, Rosannda Penley of Oxford, Sandra Frost and her husband, Morton, of Mexico, Garfield Penley Sr. of Dixfield, and Wanda Berry and her husband, Glenwood, of Carthage; two sisters, Norma Knox of Dixfield and Sally Welch of Mexico; a brother, Dexter Durant of Norway; and 20 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren (and awaiting the birth of great-grandchild no. 35) and several great-great grandchildren.

In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by a son, Francis Penley, in 1954; and two brothers, Robert Jackson and True Jackson.

Tributes and condolences may be shared with her family on her memorial wall at www.wilesrc.com.