Norma Gene Penick died at the University Medical Center at Princeton on Tuesday, May 25th. She was 88.

Born in Noble, Oklahoma, the daughter of Claude and Virginia Scott, Norma Gene, known as Jean all her life, was one of five children. The family moved to Norman, Oklahoma when Jean was 12 years old, where she became active in sports, holding the position of center in the girls' basketball team, and later having the lead role in her senior class play. She graduated from Norman High School in 1940 and went on to attend the University of Oklahoma for three years, where her interest in music resulted in her being the vocal soloist in the Boomers Dance Band. This was how she met her future husband, Joe E. Penick, who was the band's musical director and pianist. They were married in October 1942.

The young married couple first lived in Dallas, Texas where Joe worked in a wartime petroleum fuel program. Jean worked as a fashion model for Sanger Brothers Department Store. Subsequently over the years, Jean set up households in nine different locations across the country as her husband achieved new responsibilities during his long and successful career with Mobil Oil Corporation. These homes were in such diverse locations as Palos Verdes Peninsula, California; Augusta, Kansas; and Chappaqua, New York. Jean formed many enduring friendships over the years as the couple moved from place to place, staying in touch with people throughout her lifetime.

Jean enjoyed creating beautiful homes, where she worked to raise her two children and to support her husband during his professional years. She organized dinners and parties for social and business occasions, participated in corporate events, both in the US and abroad, and once even christened a ship. Although travel to far-flung destinations was an exciting part of her life, Jean's most important role was being at home with her family.


Her interests included music, golf, gardening, travel and flower arranging. As a member of the Mt. Kisco Country Club she was the ladies' 9-hole golf champion several years running. She was a member of the Princeton Chapter of P.E.O., the Nassau Club, The Bedens Brook Club, and Springdale Golf Club.

Most recently, Mrs. Penick and her husband have enjoyed a long period of retirement, with homes in Princeton, New Jersey and Naples, Florida.

In addition to her husband she is survived by her two sons and their wives, Joe Edward Penick, Jr. (Marsha) of West Chester, Pennsylvania and David Penick (Mary Delaney) of New York City and Princeton, New Jersey, as well as two granddaughters: Katherine Penick Taylor (Peter) of Bethesda, Maryland and Emily Jean Penick of Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.

The funeral service will be held at Nassau Presbyterian Church, 61 Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ 08540 on Wednesday June 2nd at 1:30 PM. Visiting hours will precede the service starting at 1:00 PM. Burial will be at Princeton Cemetery, Princeton, NJ.