Alvira "Vera" G. Penny

Alvira “Vera” Gustafson Penny, 82, of Marietta, died on Sunday, September 9, 2018, after a short battle with cancer. She was born in Jamestown, NY, and became a life-long voracious reader in her youth. Her first job was working in the local public library in high school. After graduating from Jamestown High, she was awarded a full scholarship to attend SUNY-Geneseo, where she earned a B.S. in Library Education, and later earned a M.S. and Ed.S. in Library Media from Georgia State University. She met and married her husband of 28 years, Craig R. Penny, in Corning, NY, and she spent many years as a homemaker and raising her children. In her career, she worked as a school librarian and media specialist in Corning, NY, Syracuse, NY, Columbus, OH,and for over 20 years locally at Canton Elementary School. She was passionate about reading and felt every child could be turned-on to reading with just the right book. After her retirement, she was an active volunteer for the Cobb County Friends of the Library and the Bibles for Missions Thrift Center. She also loved to travel with friends, both domestically and internationally, to destinations from Japan, Argentina, Europe, above the Arctic Circle, the Panama Canal, and just last year to Russia, to name just a few. A life-long learner, she particularly sought out and enjoyed trips and experiences with educational components. She is survived by her son David C. Penny, Smyrna, GA, daughter, Laura R. Penny, Charleston, SC, grandchildren Craig, Hewes, and AnnaBess Robertson, Charleston, SC, sister-in-law Karen G. Gustafson, and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. She is pre-deceased by her husband Craig R. Penny, parents C. Axel and Anna L. Arnvall Gustafson, and brothers G. William and David M. Gustafson. Contributions can be made in loving memory of Vera to the Cobb Library Foundation, 266 Roswell Street, Marietta, Georgia, 30060. Attention: Sandra Morris. Cobblibraryfoundation.org Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday September 12, 2018 at First Presbyterian Church, Marietta. Interment will follow at Kennesaw Memorial Cemetery, Marietta. The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. Tuesday at Mayes Ward-Dobbins Funeral Home.

Alvira "Vera" G. Penny

December 30, 1935 - September 9, 2018