The Hunter River Times

For those who knew Penny Nagle (nee Partridge) the shock of her death remains something many are coming to terms with.

Her funeral in Singleton last Thursday was attended by more than 1000 people. 

All Saints’ Anglican Church was full 30 minutes before the service started. 

Outside, people gathered under four marquees, under the shade of trees and sat and stood in silence, trying to come to terms with the loss of an amazingly beautiful woman who gave so much joy to so many.

At just 48 years, Penny was diagnosed with a brain tumour in August.  It was sudden and the tumour was aggressive.  Surgery and treatment saw her spend days and nights in hospital as the medical profession did everything, they could keep this beautiful daughter, sister, wife, mother and friend alive.

Death happens to us all and it is hard to accept, and our love and prayers go to her family, especially husband Simon and their three children, Meg, Nellie and Pat.

Penny was the owner of Singleton Helloworld, a job she came into after being a nanny in England that exposed her to the insightful experience of travel.

She and Simon both worked with Helloworld and after meeting at an expo, the pair connected and continued to discover the world together.  Simon accepted a job based in South Africa to begin a network of the business in that country and once arriving on South African soil, Penny landed six weeks later and so their love story began.

They married, had their three beautiful children and eventually settled in Singleton owning the local Helloworld branch.

Now, about Penny.  She had a smile a mile wide and made you feel happy about life just by running into her.  She was a travel agent but did so much more than book your flights.

She had all the little secrets of destinations.  She told people where to sneak a great coffee or the best little bar down a back street.  She shared her knowledge with excitement knowing the experience that laid ahead for her intrepid explorers.

She listened with intent and was genuine with her advice and professional conduct.

‘Enjoy, from Penny’, a note she left with a top-class bottle of champagne for her clients to see as they walked through the door of their five-star hotel and she meant it.  She really did want her customers to have the time of their lives.

Penny loved her dear Simon, was tremendously proud of her children who all describe her as their best friend and loved her family and friends.

Her life touched so many people in the most fabulous, joyous and loving way and the funeral response from so many in attendance is definitely a fitting acknowledgement to her life.

People were asked to donate to the Mark Hughes Foundation in lieu of flowers and as of November 9 $45,000 has been donated in honour of Penny.

Penny also made the decision to donate part of her brain to research when she died.  It is confronting but Penny so wanted to do all she could to try and find a cure so that others do not have to endure the suffering she experienced.

There was an uproar in America some years back when some billionaire decided to bury his million-dollar car alongside his body.  People were outraged and once he had the attention that he wanted, he announced there is plenty of other things you bury when you die and maybe you should think about donating your organs. 

If you can donate to the Mark Hughes Foundation, please do so.  If you haven’t had a conversation about organ donation, on behalf of Penny and her family, The Hunter River Times asks you to do that sometime soon.

Rest in peace Penny, dance long, play that music loud and know your family is in safe hands surrounded by the love of a community you loved a million times back.

Cheers dear woman.