VERONICA KENNEDY PENNEY 1917 - 2008

Veronica "Vera" Kennedy Penney, age 91, of Gulf Breeze passed away Tuesday, March 18. She was a native of New York City and a resident of Gulf Breeze since 1988.

Veronica was preceded in death by her parents, William and Maud Kennedy; her sisters Rita Doran, Virginia Iannone, Joan Hannan, and Clair Kennedy; and her brother, William Kennedy.

She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Lt. Col. Thomas F. Penney, and her daughter, Adele Park, of Indialantic, Fla. She also leaves behind seven nephews and their families.

Before she was married, Veronica worked 10 years as a "vendeuse" (saleswoman in fashion industry) for Hattie Carnegie, exclusive clothing and jewelry

designer in New York City. She was mentored in New York by her cousins Elsie and John Sloan, the latter of whom was an architect of the George Washington Bridge.

After marrying Thomas Penney, Veronica traveled throughout the world as a military wife and mother. Avid boaters, Veronica and her husband navigated the Calumet, Mississippi, and Potomac Rivers, as well as Lake Michigan, in their "Vera- Cruisers I and II."

Veronica will be remembered for her love of her family and friends, sense of fashion, and great storytelling. In her honor, donations can be made to Convenant House, a charity for homeless children.