Annette Kay Penna

Annette Kay (Borchert) Penna passed away on December 16, 2012 in the Good Samaritan Hospital in Lafayette, CO. She was born on December 17, 1938, in Benkelman, NE, the first of four children, and the only daughter, of Merle and Gladys Borchert. Most of her education was in Hastings, NE; however, she graduated from the Kearney, NE high school in 1956. She played clarinet in the Kearney, HS band, and worked at a ladies clothing store part-time. Later, in addition to being a full-time mother, she worked as a nurses' aide, dental assistant, DMV clerk, a Pub owner, microscope technician, cleaner at model homes, co-owner of a retail business, sales manager for a home furnishings store, custom frame store, accounts clerk for Farmers Insurance, and at one time was a volunteer EMT for a fire department. She married William P. Hardwick at the First Methodist Church in Kearney, NE on February 15, 1957. Two daughters blessed this marriage, Debra Shawn (Leonard), and Chana Sue (Guy). Annette was a life-long Methodist and a willing participant in church and Sunday School activities. The family lived in many different places: Nebraska, Kansas, Virginia, Colorado. At each location, Annette always immersed herself in local activities and widened her large friendship circle. She and Bill were divorced in May 1976, and she married Joseph R. Penna in December 1981. She always considered Joe's family to be hers, and Joe considered her family to be his. They first lived in Colorado and then moved to California where they lived for many years until they each retired and moved to Chandler, TX. At each place they lived, Annette continued to add to her ever-increasing circle of friends. Preceding Annette in death are her parents Merle and Gladys, two brothers, Merle and David, and grandson Andrew Leonard. Surviving Annette are her husband, Joe, and his two children, Robert and Tammie, and six grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Also surviving are her ex-husband, Bill Hardwick, and their two daughters Debra and Chana and five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; and her brother Marshall and wife Jennie and their children. Services are held at Horan & McConaty Funeral Home in Lakewood, CO at 1:00 pm on December 21, 2012. Pastor Richard Brest will conduct the memorial service. There were no graveside services. Annette chose cremation; the family will hold a private inurnment at the Golden, CO cemetery in the near future. Please share your memories of Annette and condolences with her family by signing the Guestbook below.