Pastor Arlene Penney

Let us remember with thanksgiving the life and ministry of Pastor Arlene Penney, 91, of St. Augustine, FL and formerly of Summitville, NY who died on September 21, 2015, just a few days from her 92nd birthday.
 
A lifelong member of The United Methodist Church, Arlene returned to college at 62 to pursue her dream of becoming a UM pastor. She attended Wesleyan Theological Seminary in Washington, DC. Arlene was a full-time local pastor who served churches in the New York Annual Conference: Ridgebury, White Sulphur Springs, Philmont, Mountain View and Narrowsburg. She retired in 1992 while serving in Narrowsburg. She was admired by her parishioners for her ability to weave together current events and scripture into meaningful sermons. After her retirement to St. Augustine, Arlene continued her ministry at the First United Methodist Church in the areas of outreach and visitation.
 
Arlene had many hobbies including gardening, baking, sewing and crocheting. She was involved in several civic organizations, including Wurtsboro Historical Society and Mamakating Ambulance Core. She was an avid genealogist and historian. Her home was a welcome place for family, friends and the many dogs she adopted.
 
Arlene is survived by two sons, Larry and Frank, and her daughter Laura, nine grandchildren, her brother Harold and her sister Gale, and several nieces and nephews.
 
A celebration of life will be held at 11:00am on Monday, September 28, 2015 at the First United Methodist Church, 118 King Street, St. Augustine, FL 32084 with Pastor Pat Turner-Sharpton officiating. Donations in Arlene’s memory may be made to the St. Augustine church or to your local animal shelter.