Penny Grant

“Life is not how to weather the storm, but learning how to dance in the rain.” This was the lesson Penny Grant lived by, the compass her heart followed every day. Penny was a wonderful woman – a loving wife, devoted mother and adoring grandmother whose compassion shone in many ways. She was content to live in the moment, appreciating the family, friends and events that brought her life immeasurable joy.

The 1950s were a bustling, optimistic time in American history. Meanwhile, across the Atlantic Ocean in England, the largest constituent country in the United Kingdom, many of Britain's postwar problems remained unsolved, but its economy also rode on a wave of prosperity. In the bustling city of Leicester, in the East Midlands of England, life for Maurice and Rosina (Lumb) Mawdsley was about to become even richer as they awaited the arrival of their first child. On April 2, 1954, the couple joyfully welcomed the birth of their daughter, Penny.

Along with her three younger siblings, Susan, Rose and Richard, Penny spent her growing up years in Leicester, where her father earned a living as a Postmaster, while her mother was a homemaker. Penny received her education at St Barnabas Infant & Junior School and then at Spencefield Secondary School, graduating in 1970. In addition to school, she was actively involved with her church youth group and the Girl Guides. Shortly after graduating, Penny attended a weekend church meeting and it was here that she met the love of her life, Martin Grant. Over the next 4 years, the two fell hopelessly in love and were happily married at St. Mary’s Church in Leicester on July 20, 1974. For a honeymoon, the newlyweds packed up their gear and went camping in Wales. The couple was the proud parents of four wonderful children: Samantha, Rebecca, Thomas and Christopher.

While settling into married life, Penny worked in the Post Office with her father while Martin worked as an engineer. In 1976, their lives changed dramatically when Martin enlisted in the Royal Air Force, making this his career for 22 years (and resulted in 17 different moves). He was first based in Hampshire on the southern coast of England for 3 years, before being transferred to Harsewinkel, Germany for 3 years. His next call of duty was in Wales for 3 years and then back to Germany for another 2 years. During this time, Penny occupied her time helping young families through her work with the Homestart Team - that was until they moved to the Royal Air Force Station in Rheindahlen for 2 ½ years. Their next temporary home was in North Devon, where Penny worked as a nursing assistant, and then they went back to Wales for 3 more years, and Penny continued her work with Homestart. It was in 1997 that the family actually crossed the Atlantic Ocean to America, and settled in the Sunshine State of Vero Beach, Florida. Then, in 1999, Martin took a job with Western Michigan University College of Aviation and they put down roots in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Penny wasn’t one to be idle and enjoyed putting her talents to use helping others. Once settled in Kalamazoo, she went to work at the YWCA in the Sexual Assault System, and for the last 5 years, she worked for the Battle Creek Health Systems in Risk Management, Advisor in Health and Patient Advocacy for Fieldstone Psychiatric Unit. Although work kept her busy, Penny found time to enjoy some of the recreational activities the U.S. offered, including watching the Kalamazoo K-Wings and Bronco’s Hockey. She was a strong supporter of her husband’s work at the Aviation college and often baked cakes and organized birthday parties for his students and colleagues. Penny was also a very proud supporter of her son, Christopher, who is serving in the U.S. Army in Aviation and had served a term in Iraq. In December 2008, he will be deployed once again overseas to serve in Afghanistan, and Penny couldn’t be prouder. Through her work with the Battle Creek Health Systems, Penny was able to organize fundraisers for various soldiers, showing them support in some way too.

As a mother, Penny was proud of all her children and their accomplishments in life. And when she was blessed with grandchildren, her life became even more blessed! Although they lived in England, Penny stayed closely connected with her grandkids via a web cam. She also put together scrapbooks for each of them full of wonderful memories, as well as toys, clothes, blankets and quilts she made with lots of love. Numbered to her family was also her beloved Springer Spaniel named Holly, who they brought from England and had for 17 years. He sadly died just a few months ago.

When it came to her leisure time, Penny enjoyed staying active. She had been skiing all over the world, and liked camping and walking too. Penny and Martin loved to sail in South Haven, and back in England, they had sailed in the Baltic Sea and all around Europe. Once Penny got her driver’s license in the U.S., she loved to cruise around in her convertible, and sometimes in the winter, she still drove with the roof down. Staying connected with her family was always very important to Penny, and she and Martin took many trips back home to visit her siblings and children. In fact, they spent last Christmas in the Sherwood Forest in England with 4 generations of her family, and had a wonderful time!

In her quieter moments, Penny liked to curl up with a good fictional or inspirational book, or keep her hands busy with some patchwork, quilting, sewing, knitting or scrapbooking. She also loved to cook and was a collector of China. Penny loved music and listened to anything from classical and opera to modern, her favorite singers being Celine Dion and Tina Turner. Before coming to America, Penny and Martin attended the Church of England, and once here, they joined St. Barnabas Episcopal.

As a couple, Penny and Martin’s marriage was a true romance! They were more than just husband and wife, but also soul mates and best friends, lovers and confidants. They did everything together, and always remembered it’s the little things that matter the most. Shortly after the couple returned home from their Christmas trip in England, Penny became ill and was just diagnosed with lung cancer only a few days ago.

Those who knew and loved Penny described her as being organized, caring, elegant and unconditional in her love. She was an extraordinary lady who will be deeply missed.

Penny Grant, age 54, died on Saturday, September 20, 2008, in Kalamazoo. Services will be held (TBA) followed by a luncheon at the church hall. She was preceded in death by her parents. Surviving is her husband of 34 years, Martin; four children: Samantha Grant (Paul Foote) of England; Rebecca (Paul) McGlone of England; Thomas Grant (Donna Dunwoodie) of Wales; and Christopher (Katy) Grant of Ft. Campbell, KY; eight grandchildren: Jake, Georgia, William, Oliver, Sarah, Kai, Mac and Braden; 3 siblings: Susan (Glen) Johnstone of England; Rose (Graham) Taylor of England and Richard (Tina) Mawdsley of France; and many nieces and nephews. Memorial contributions may be made to the West Michigan Cancer Center. Arrangements handled by Life Story Funeral Home, Betzler, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo, MI (375-2900).