Elinor Pennell “Penny” Briggs

Elinor Pennell “Penny” Briggs died peacefully in her sleep on July 11, 2017 at the age of 97 at Crosslands Retirement Community in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 46 years Franklin Humphrey Briggs III in 1990. She is survived by her daughter Barbara Briggs Montabana, of Aldan, PA and her sons Franklin Humphrey Briggs IV of Canberra, Australia and Robert Smedley Briggs of Vashon Island, Washington and by four grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Penny was born Elinor Garrett Pennell on June 10, 1920 to Mary Smedley Pennell and James Raymond Pennell. She grew up on their family farm in Wawa, Pennsylvania. She was educated at Media Friends School, Westtown School, and Earlham College. Penny taught physical education at Westtown School for many years and was active on many Philadelphia Yearly Meeting committees.

Penny enjoyed being creative through arts and crafts in various media, including sewing, knitting, and watercolor painting. She is best known for her patchwork embroidery creations (done under her nom d’art “Penni”) depicting local rural landscapes and scenes from her travels. Upon retirement, she taught as a volunteer at West Chester Friends School, teaching a generation of young children about Quakerism through stories. Some of these stories she had published, including a book containing her original watercolor illustrations.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, August 13 at 2 pm, Center Building at Crosslands, 1660 East Street Road, Kennett Square, PA.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Penny’s name to Friends Committee on National Legislation or the American Friends Service Committee.