Constance M Penna

Constance (Connie) Marie Penna age 94, passed away peacefully on February 9th under the loving care of her family, the staff at the Francis E. Parker Nursing Home and Stein Hospice.

Connie was born on April 15, 1931 to Peter and Theresa Norbut in Newark, New Jersey.  At age 20, she married the love of her life John Anthony Penna on June 24, 1951 at All Souls Church in East Orange.  On the day she saw John in the distance in his white Navy Dress Uniform, she was immediately enamored.  John’s sister Rose then introduced them, and they went on their first date and later married.

She is predeceased by her Husband John- Parents Peter and Theresa Norbut- Son Perry John and Grandson Robbie Jr.  She is survived by Sons-Jaime, Robbie and Christopher, Daughter in Laws- Sharon, Yvonne, Kathleen (Bitty) and Stephanie, Grandchildren- Marlana, Perry, Kayla (Wiliamson) Lindsay (Pena) Jonathon and Arianna, Great-Grandchildren- Kyle, Austin, Travis, Tyler, Alex Jr. and Adelina.

Connie graduated from Clifford J. High School in East Orange in June of 1949 with honors in Business Education.  Upon graduation, she worked for many years at  Fidelity Bank and later Central Mutual Bank.

 She then spent close to nineteen years as a stay at home mom.  Her four sons were always under her watchful eye. Her son Perry nicknamed her “Mannix”, after the main character in the popular 1967 detective series.  There wasn’t much that got past her keeping them out of trouble and shaping their lives for success.

When her work was done raising her sons, she went to work for the State of New Jersey Superior Courts as a Criminal Division Judicial Secretary.  There she spent fifteen years working for several judges managing their calendar and attending to all their administrative needs.  Her close attention to detail and superior organizational skills were much appreciated by her Judges.

          Connie was a woman whose life was rooted in love for family and friends. She was deeply dedicated to her family, always putting them first and ensuring that they felt cared for, supported and surrounded by warmth.  

Connie was an incredible cook and enjoyed sharing her talent with family and friends.  Her family will always remember her “Sunday Gravy” and eating meatballs and eggplant as fast as she could fry them.  They will not forget her famous escarole and bean soup, eggplant parmigiana, pasta fagioli, beer burgers and the dented Bachman Pretzel tin always filled with fresh chocolate chip cookies.  Even when the family went camping, Connie always had gourmet meals at the ready. 

Connie spent five years, to date, in the care of the incredible staff at the Francis E. Parker Nursing Home.  Connie became a staff favorite very quickly with her smile, humor, and always providing her bold and honest opinion about everything.   She loved singing the popular John Denver song, “Take Me Home, County Roads” with the staff.   Her family wishes to thank the entire staff for their loving care, tenderness, support and admiration for her.  This was especially shown during her last days when so many came to spend time alone with her.  We thank them for openly loving her and as much as her family did.

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