Penny Lee Basso

Penny Lee Basso, age 74, passed away at home in Benicia, on September 12, 2021 after a long battle with Cancer. Penny Lee, the only child of Paul and Bertha Nuzum, was born in Key West, Florida. Her early childhood was spent in Fruitland Park, Florida, after her parents divorced Penny lived with an Aunt in Manase, New York. She graduated from Watervliet High School, class of 1965. Following high school she attended Russell Sage College in Troy earning her A.A. degree.

Her marriage to her first husband 1968, brought her live in Tucson, Arizona. After a divorce she relocated to California, finding employment in San Francisco in the employee benefits field. First with Operating Engineers, Local No.3 and then with C.W. Sweeney Company and later she became an administrator of a fringe benefit trust fund for Sheet Metal Workers Local Union No. 104. After their friendship turned to romance, Penny married Don Basso in 1995.

Inquisitive and intelligent, Penny had many interests and hobbies. In Tucson she bred and showed Abyssinian cats. Her favorite, Valleys Chandler, won a Grand Champion award. Later, Penny’s love of flower arranging as a hobby, led her to pursue her goal of operating her own floral business. Penny owned and operated Benicia Floral & Gifts 2001 to 2014.

Penny is pre deceased by her parents and several Uncles, Aunts and Cousins. She is survived by her husband Don and Don’s children, Tony (Tina) Basso, Catherine (Roland) Vallecillo and Amy (Rob) Guy and their children, along with her Cousins in New York, Indiana and West Virginia.

Arrangements are under the care of Passalacqua Funeral Chapel, 901 West 2nd Street, Benicia. A vigil service will be held at the funeral chapel on Thursday, September 16th at 7:00 PM, with a Mass of Christian burial on Friday September 17th., 11:00 A.M. at St. Dominic’s Church, 475 East I Street, Benicia. Burial will be private. The family would like to thank and acknowledge Hospice of the East Bay for the help in Penny’s care.