Ms. Penelope Marguerite Pacely

Penelope Marguerite Pacely (known to everyone as Penny or Pink) was born to George (Mack) and Carrie Lee Adams (Gilbert) on June 28, 1947. She was the youngest daughter of fourteen children (eleven of whom survived into adulthood). Being born into a large family full of siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews engrained a love for family in Penny from an early age. This love for family permeated her being and was constantly on display throughout her life. One of her true joys was helping her mother cook for their large family. Her mother attended church several times a week and would often bring her youngest daughter along. This established her spiritual foundation. In the Adams household, George, and Carrie Lee stress both academic success and faith in all their children. At an early age, Penny attended Russell Street Baptist Church. It was there she accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. She was a product of the Detroit Public School System. She graduated from Mumford High School in 1965. She continued her education, pursuing a Nursing Degree at Wayne County Community College. She started her career as a Phone Operator at Metropolitan Hospital. She later became a Surgical Aide at Henry Ford Hospital and she ended her career as a Registered Nurse in the Burn Unit at Detroit Receiving Hospital. On October 6, 1967, Penny gave birth to her daughter, Kimberly Rene Adams. In 1973, Penny married James Pacely, and on August 29, 1974, she gave birth to her son, Jason Cornay Pacely. She raised her children as she had been by continuing to engrain the importance of family, education, and faith. Penny intentionally raised her children very closely with her exceptionally large extended family.This bonding made their cousins more like siblings. That bond, and the joy in her spirit, was seen at any of the many family picnics, baby showers, dinners and reunions that she always looked forward to attending. Her seven brothers consistently stepped into the “father figure” role in ways that both deepened and solidified the family bond for her children, while reflecting what she understood about her family. In short, Penny believed that family was Everything. She would make time to visit, call, or ask about the various members, no matter how they were related. It was something she did until her final days. Known for giving her “two cents”, Penny earned a reputation of being outspoken when it came to her unwavering principles and convictions. She encouraged and motivated the educational achievements of her children. This included nurturing a love for books, taking special trips, engaging in a healthy debate, and trusting the wisdom gained both academically and experientially. She made up different activities and played games that would make children think in different ways. Trusting wisdom was a byproduct of the strength of her faith. She taught her children the power of prayer and trusted the spiritual seeds she planted at an early age would grow. She never forced faith but trusted that life’s experiences would reveal its power. Penny would often say, “I can show you better than I can tell.” That saying would describe how Penny would continue to demonstrate her love for the next generation of family. On May 26, 2014, she became a grandmother to Fiori Noelle Pacely. Later that same year, she became a grandmother, again, to Kaine Alexander Leflore-Kirkpatrick, on October 5th. And, on May 16, 2016, Penny became a grandmother for a third time to Aryam Annalise Pacely. They became the center of her focus and joy. Whether called Nana or Grandma, nothing made her happier than visits and phone calls from her grandchildren. She used her time learning more about them individually instead of shaping who they would become. She understood and respected parental boundaries, which allowed her to relish their learning, discovering, and becoming of both her children and her grandchildren. On the morning of December 30, 2024, the Lord called Penny home to rest with Him in Heaven. Earlier in the year, she had been asking about the plans for the next family gathering. She has now joined the parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and other family members that preceded her to that Great Family Reunion. Left to honor and preserve her memory include children Kimberly and Jason (Mereb); grandchildren Fiori, Kaine, and Aryam; siblings Stan (JoAnn), Greg, (Bennetta); and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and family friends.

Ms. Penelope Marguerite Pacely

June 28, 1947 - December 30, 2024