Penni Moran

A devoted mom, creative spirit, and loyal friend, Penni Moran filled life with laughter, great stories, and handmade gifts, while creating a home where everyone belonged. Penni led with her heart in all things, greeting each day with gratitude and welcoming every person as a friend. Never one to be judgmental, Penni made people feel comfortable being themselves, enveloping them in kindness and unwavering support, especially when things were tough. An inspiration to all who were blessed to share time with her, Penni will long be remembered and missed by those she so dearly loved.

1969 was a year of innovation and excitement. Nowhere was there more excitement than in the hearts and home of John “Sonny” Goff and Alma Jennette Holmes as they welcomed their daughter Patricia, who always went by Penni, into their family on November 26 in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

The youngest of six children, Penni grew up in a big family and the good company of her older siblings. Her father was a painter, and her mother ran a home daycare. She made many friends through the daycare and the neighborhood; some became lifelong friends.

Penni graduated from Kalamazoo Central and was in one of the first integrated classes in Kalamazoo. She enjoyed learning, but even more so the friendships she built and maintained throughout her school years. Her infectious light and warmth drew friends from all walks of life and backgrounds.

After graduation, while at a Cheek-to-Cheek teen night, Penni met her future husband Tim Moran. The pair began dating and enjoyed camping, traveling, and attending concerts together. They had a Ford Festiva that they'd cram into to go camping or drive down to Florida to collect Nate, Penni’s step-son, with Tim. In their 20’s, they enjoyed an epic Grateful Dead concert in Chicago, where they fell asleep on a bench in Grant Park by the big fountain, and woke up with a bad sunburn and a crowd of onlookers. In their later years, they enjoyed country western concerts and shows in honky tonk bars.

Their marriage blessed them with the gift of their two children, as well as Penni’s step-son, Nate. Penni’s kids were the center of her world and her greatest joy. She was a supportive parent who was fully present and prioritized listening to her kids. Despite it sometimes being a struggle, Penni worked hard to provide her kids with many opportunities. She worked to ensure Nate was always welcome in her home, and made numerous drives across the state and country to connect him with his siblings. She took Kelsey to countless games, travel softball, and other sports; living off a hot dog diet at the Mattawan Little League fields in order to be there for every play. She loved great bargains and making her kids happy, and would take Kyler to Fazoli’s for his favorite childhood food experience; never-ending breadsticks. They once broke a store record for the most breadsticks eaten in one setting, and were asked to leave as a result. Still, Penni made sure her children felt safe, loved, and had a lot of fun. While working in the home mortgage industry with AmeriFirst, Penni would sometimes take her kids to work when they were sick, and hide them under the desk so they could sleep. As they grew older, they were assigned tasks like inventory - counting paper clips in the supply closet.

Always eager to try new things, Penni enjoyed crafting, painting, and glass art. One year, she asked for a Dremel tool and had great fun learning to carve things out of wood. While she didn't always have a lot of money to buy gifts, she could always make something special. Her family has many of her creations on their shelves or hanging on their walls, reminding them every day of Penni’s love.

Penni also enjoyed hunting for the best deals at thrift stores, where she loved to find gifts for friends and family, and going to Louie's for dinner each week. Walking her dog Dolly through nature preserves was a source of relaxation, and more recently she enjoyed tent camping with friends around Michigan's state parks where they could sit under stars and admire the beauty of the night sky.

Penni possessed a deep passion for social justice and politics. She advocated for candidates she believed in and was never afraid to speak her mind. Those she shared her political perspectives with quickly learned it was easier to agree with her than try to engage in a debate.

Penni was over the moon with Nate when he and his wife Maria brought her grandkids, Rozalia and Natalia into the world. She relished celebrating their baptisms and birthdays, and sharing in holiday festivities, especially the Fourth of July. She made sure every one of her adult children, as well as her granddaughters, received massive and customized Easter baskets and Christmas stockings each year. A natural connector, Penni had a gift for bringing people together. With great warmth and affection, she included everyone in the holidays. She loved listening to people's stories and laughing at her own embarrassing stories.

As we celebrate Penni’s life, may we find much comfort in our many treasured memories. May we also find comfort in carrying her legacy of loving care and laughter forward. Whenever we greet a stranger with a smile, bring people together, listen with our hearts, confidently face life's challenges, enthusiastically celebrate its simple joys, advocate for those in need, encourage our loved ones' dreams and goals, and gather around the fire and gaze in wonder at the stars, we keep Penni’s beautiful spirit alive and inspiring others as she so inspired each of us.

Penni Moran died on August 3, 2026. She was preceded in death by her parents: Alma Jennette Goff and John “Sunny” Goff as well as siblings: Frankie, Ginger, and Pam; and nephew, Sky. Surviving are her children: Kyler (Lauren) Moran and Kelsey (Joe) Wolf; stepson, Nate (Maria) Merrill; grandchildren: Rozalia and Natalia; former husband, Tim Moran; and siblings: Tammy and Debbie.

Please join us for a Life Story Visitation on Wednesday, August 12, from 5-7 PM to share a drink, food, and stories at Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900. Celebrate Penni's life online by sharing your favorite stories and photos on her dedicated webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com. Memorial contributions may be made to Kalamazoo Humane Society or Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy.