Obituary of Jennie C. Pennington

Jennie C. Pennington, 73, passed away March 6, 2016 at Saratoga Hospital following a short illness. Born in Marion NC, she was the beloved daughter of the late Ralph and Jennie Collis. Jennie, who received her undergraduate degree from Duke University, earned her master’s degree at Stanford University, and her school administration degree from SUNY Albany. She was married on July 25t, 1965 to James Sutton Pennington III, settling in Niskayuna, NY after short periods in California, Virginia, and Arizona. Mrs. Pennington, who thought herself mainly a “teacher” with nearly 50 years of teaching and administrative experience in public schools, loved making connections with her community and those around her. She was especially proud of the accomplishments of students, as well as the teachers she hired while working at BH-BL. She began there as a junior high English teacher, then became unit head, before becoming a senior high assistant principal and eventually principal. Many of the connections she made in school turned into life-long friendships. Mrs. Pennington became commissioner in the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and president of its Commission on Secondary schools. She was the first female Rotarian at her BH-BL club and past president, earning the Paul Harris Fellow award for outstanding leadership to her community. She was co-president of the American Association of University Women in Schenectady, served on the boards of First New York Federal Credit Union and Charlton School for Girls. Following her retirement from BH-BL she worked as a contract negotiator for State Administrators Association of NYS, for whom she settled well over 100 contracts. Recently she had enjoyed a return to BH-BL as interim human resources administrator. Mrs. Jennie Pennington was passionate about sports -- in particular Duke Men’s basketball, the NY Yankees, Niskayuna soccer and swimming, and all of the BH-BL athletic contests. She participated in 3 book groups, reading voraciously, and enjoyed discussing literature with anyone, young or old, who would listen. Jennie enjoyed cooking with friends in her AAUW gourmet group. She could frequently be found watching her grandchildren participate in their endeavors. Survivors include her cherished husband of 50 years, James Pennington, her devoted daughter, Eleanor “Ellie” and son-in-law Bryce Colby of Niskayuna, and her adored grandchildren: Brennan, Bryan and Katrina Colby. Jennie’s survivors wish to thank the caring and dedicated staff at Saratoga Hospital as well as her team of doctors who treated her as the unique individual that she was. Relatives, friends and associates are cordially invited to call at the GLENVILLE FUNERAL HOME, 9 GLENRIDGE RD. on Sunday, March 13, 2016 from 2-5PM. Memorial donations are preferred to the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Education Foundation, PO Box 568 Burnt Hills, NY 12027 or to Doctors Without Borders USA, 333 7th Avenue New York, NY 10001. Funeral services and burial will take place March 19, 2016 in Spruce Pine, North Carolina under the direction of Webb Funeral Home, 208 Roan Rd., Spruce Pine, NC 28777. Interment Spruce Pine Memorial Cemetery. Online expressions of sympathy may be expressed at GLENVILLEFUNERALHOME.COM.