Obituary of Grace Christine Penn

Grace Christine Harper Penn, aged 89, passed away peacefully at home in Meridian, Idaho, on
February 15, 2024, surrounded by family. She was born on October 1, 1934 in Manila, the
Philippines to Edgar Kenlock Harper and Maria Luisa de los Pascual Harper, their eleventh and
youngest child.
Grace grew up in a big and loving family. She had fond memories of her early childhood in the
Philippines, and this early life shaped her lifelong love of the foods of the region along with a
fondness for tropical climates. Her childhood was cut short by WWII when she and her family
were imprisoned in Manila by the occupying Japanese army from 1941-45 at Santo Tomas
Prison Camp. Her sister Mildred was killed during their rescue in 1945. The family moved to stay
with her father’s kin near Porterville, California, after the war’s destruction of Manila. She
attended Selma High School and Reedley College, and graduated from Fresno State College. She
taught business skills at Hanford High School for many years and retired in 1993.
She married Vernon in 1960, and they lived in Hanford, California, for more than 45 years
before moving to Meridian, Idaho. She enjoyed gardening, playing bridge, camping, traveling,
and being with family. She had a sharp wit, tenacious nature, and could strike up a conversation
with anyone.
Her siblings and their growing families gathered every Thanksgiving until travel became more
difficult in their later years. Grace and Vernon’s house was filled to bursting at times with
visiting relatives.
She leaves husband of 63 years, Vernon, son Michael of Juneau, Alaska, and daughters Julie
Howard of Boise, Idaho, and Cheryl Penn of Santa Cruz, California. She had three grandchildren
and three great grandchildren. Her siblings all predeceased her; there are many nieces and
nephews and their families who knew and loved her too.
Burial and services will be private. She will be deeply missed.