Penelope Anton Markham, 88, of Friendship, died peacefully while she slept on April 12.
Penny was born in Waterbury, Conn. on Aug. 23, 1922, into a large and boisterous Greek family, all of whom had recently arrived from Athens to set up small shops and diners in New England. She graduated from Westbrook College (now part of the University on New England) in 1941. While there, she met her husband of 65 years, Jesse William Markham, now deceased but then a Naval Officer, at a USO dance after he had come ashore from his Heavy Cruiser in Portland Harbor.
Penny and Jesse then spent their life on college campuses, educating students and immersing themselves in college communities — in Nashville, Tenn. where she commenced their family with three children whom she nurtured as infants, then in Princeton, N.J. as mother of her growing children, and as a hospital volunteer, Boy Scout parent, and Sunday School teacher, and then in Cambridge, Mass., where she was a Dormitory Fellow living at Harvard’s Leverett House, constantly lending her kind ear and calm wisdom to the many students there who sought her guidance, or just her presence.
When she and Jesse retired to her beloved Friendship in 1985, she volunteered ceaselessly in that sea-side community, for her Church, the Church Fair Committee, her beloved Friendship Day, and the crewel and book clubs, and as a friend to the entire community she loved, while traveling once a week to volunteer in Pen Bay Hospital’s Emergency Room in Rockport. She always wanted to serve.
Penny was avid in knitting and needlepoint, a wonderful wife and mother, and a friend to all she met. She gave without demand, graced and warmed every room she entered.
She is survived by her children, Elizabeth (Betsy) McLean, John James Emanuel II and Jesse William Jr.; niece, Penelope Boling; six grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Funeral service 4 p.m., Sat., May 7 at Friendship United Methodist Church in Friendship.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Friendship Library, 3 Main St., Friendship, ME 04547 or Friendship Volunteer Fire Dept., 25 Main St., Friendship, ME 04547.
An online guest book is available at www.davisfuneralhomenh.com, (603-883-3401).
The Davis Funeral Home, One Lock St., Nashua, N.H. has been placed in charge of arrangements.
