Maggie Pennington Obituary

You were a very wonderful instructor when I had the one class.
Sure hope someone as competent took your place.

Dr. Pennington's first-year biology class, in Randolph Hall back then, was an experience with a gifted and dedicated teacher that I will never forget. She touched so many lives, and I'm one of many who is richer for having known her. Ashley and Robin, there may be a lot of miles and years between us, but I think about you often. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Even though I never had Dr. Pennington as a teacher when I was at the college, she was always VERY interested in all the students who went through the biology program and always had an encouraging word to say. She was a great mentor/advisor to many students and she was steadfastly committed to them. She always taught with great enthusiasm. The College has lost a great educator and friend.

dear heather, i am deeply saddened to hear of your mother's passing. attending her classes was both a right of passage and an honor as a biology major. my life is richer because of her. love in our bond, lisa sherrer (ak of phi mu, "84)

I will never forget the body of knowledge she shared with me in botany. Out of all the classes from the College it is the one I explore every day in my Maine gardens. I can't help but see her smile in every bloom in my garden and the joy she felt two years ago when I told her the same in a phone conversation. May God bring her family peace and comfort knowing she lives on in all she touched with her words of wisdom. class of '72

Sincerest regrets to the family. I really enjoyed my botany class with Dr. Pennington back in the '80's. Glad to have many fond memories of her class and C of C in general as both staff and grounds become less recognizable each year.

Maggie was a rare human being. I'll always be grateful for her guidance and friendship during my years of teaching at the College of Charleston. What a loss!

We offer our sympathies to all who loved Dr. Pennington. May you find comfort in your precious memories and solace in "the Father of tender mercies and the God of all comfort." (2 Cor 1:3,4)

Dr. Pennington was the best Biology professor I ever had. She was kind-hearted as well as rigorous. My condolences to her family on the loss of an incredible woman!

Dr. Pennington took a personal interest in me during a special honors college class and she encouraged me to improve my scientific writing for a broader audience. Wonderful professor who had a charming influence over her students.

I am saddened to hear of the passing Dr. Pennington. Her 1973 biology 101 course helped me build a foundation,that my career depends on today. Her standards made me sit up straight in class,and prepare myself for her engaging questions during roll call. I appreciated her calm and subtle enthusiaisim. Thank you Dr. Pennington for the gifts of learning you passed on to us all.

With deepest sympathy to your family,

Mitch Binnarr
Class of 1976
Florence, SC

Dr. Pennington,

Was an awsome professor and I am a better student of biology because of her instruction. My sympathy and prayers go out to the family.

Dr. Pennington was a great teacher and friend. She was tough and demanded much of her students but was always there when help was needed. She will be missed.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of sorrow!

Mark Free and family.

what I know about plants, I know because of Dr. Pennington...My sympathies to her family and all of the C.of C. community

What a wonderful lecturer and class discussion leader! I truely appreciate the effort she made for all her classes. Regards, Rick Helfers, CoC, 1966

Ashley and all:
I am sorry for your loss. She was obviously quite a talented woman! I wish I had found out a few hours earlier so I could have attended the service. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Dr. Pennington scared me to death as a freshman! Then as I matured I came to know her as a wonderful teacher and mentor. She will be missed by all. My prayers are with her family during this difficult time.

Although I was never fortunate enough to have had your mother as a teacher when I attended The College of Charleston in the 70's, I knew what a great lady she was. She was one of those wonderful professors whom everyone respected and admired. My own mother passed away on the same day last year, so I know what a tremendous loss you are feeling now. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

It was with a sense of personal loss that I learned of the passing of Dr. Maggie Pennington.

I was in her class in 1965, and I will always rememember the students' collective groan of horror and despair when Dr. Pennington announced that this would in fact be two courses in one:a year's course in botany in the first semester, and a year's course in biology the second semester,since, she explained, we needed to understand that all life is interconnected --- and we all knew she meant it.

So in her very first words to us, Dr. Pennington captured our respect, admiration and allegiance. We worked extra hard for this brilliant and principled lady, because we knew instinctively that she was one of the finest professors we would ever have.

Equally, I will never forget her profound sense of fairness and justice, when she staunchly sided with me in a serious academic conflict. She told me, "We don't allow that kind of treatment here at the College of Charleston.Don't worry---I'll take care of it,"--- and she did, and the problem disappeared.

Later Master's and Doctoral studies proved my first instincts correct: I can count on the fingers of one hand the professors I have studied under who were Dr. Pennington's equal both professionally and humanly.

I would not be where I am today if not for Dr. Pennington's inspiration and guidance. She was my first roll model who showed me that women can be smart and succeed. I attended medical school because of her support. C of C 1977

I had Dr. Pennington my freshman year (1968). She was very kind with a wonderful sense of humor and to this day I count her as one of my all time favorite teachers. She truly made the world a better place to live. She was a legend.

My thoughts and prayers are with your family at this most difficult time. Dr. Pennington, you were one of those few professors who inspired students through their passion for their field. Many years ago during my days at the College, I remember you to be feared by freshmen but praised by upper classmen who had the good fortune to take your courses in plant anatomy and plant taxonomy. You truly were in your element in those classes and made students really open their eyes and look closely at the natural world around them with a true sense of wonder and awe at its beauty and complexity. Your dedication inspired many to understand and protect our natural world and as fellow biologist, I personally strive to meet your challenge. You will be greatly missed but your inspiration will live on through those who were lucky enough to have known you. While we have lost so much, I am sure God’s gardens never looked so beautiful!
Roger Pugliese and Family

A great lady and an excellent teacher! Dr. Maggie took our botany class out one winter's day to observe plants that would later be part of a practical exam. We went back later in the spring for the exam, all had changed, everything was in bloom, what a lesson that was! Best wishes to Dr. Maggie's family.

TO ASHLEY, HEATHER & FAMILY
YOU ALL HAVE OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY & PRAYERS. MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL.

My thoughts and prayers go out to your entire family over the loss of Dr. Pennington, an exceptional biology professor. As a local high school biology teacher, I share my experiences when I was a senior at CofC taking plant taxonomy back in 1993 with my students. I owe a lot to her, with respect to my knowledge of botany.
Sincere

One of my best memories of Dr Pennington was when she called on me during freshman Biology class and asked me what I knew about sex. After the good laugh, she then launched into a lecture on reproduction. I respected her for her strength of character and for setting the bar high for her students. She wanted us to succeed, but only if we achieved her standards. I also admired her perspective: after congratulating her on the Founders Medal, she turned to me, looked over her glasses, and said "With this and a dollar, I might be able to get a cup of coffee." I am proud to have been mentored by Dr Pennington, and I will continue to honor her by contributing to the scholarship established in her name.

Such a wonderful professor and role model. She was one of the greatest!

I offer my prayers and deepest expressions of sympathy to the Pennington and the College of Charleston family during this time.

Dr.Pennington was an inspiration to all of her students, especially the females. I thoroughly enjoyed her as a professor during my time at CoC. I offer my thoughts and prayers to her family.
Meredith Christenberry Kuester
Class of 1997

Dearest Pennington Family,
"Maggie T." was my Professor, my mentor, and my friend. As a biology major at The C of C, she opened up a whole new world to me when I took Botany under her tutelage. I attribute a great deal of my success at The College to her example. I know those "pastures" are greener and she and Dr. R. have a lot to catch up on together.

A pillar upon the foundation of the College. What Dr. Stern could not accomplish, Dr. Pennington could. A friend to all of us, a teacher to everyone, an advisor to a select few. Someone who left a gathering yet her influence, her ideals, her ideas remained. May she rest well as she worked so hard for us, for her, for all.

When I think of my days at the CofC some 25 years ago, I think of one person - Dr. Pennington! She gave me more than botany, she inspired me to be the best I could be. What a teacher! Thank you for the years of instruction from the many who practice the clinical sciences everyday.

Dr. Pennington was one of my professors during my freshman year at CofC. She was quite a lady! Your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

My deepest sympathy to all of you. Dr Pennington was a great lady. (Class of '69).

My deepest sympathies on the loss of such a fine woman. I was fortunate to have been one of Dr. Pennington's students during her first and historic year at The College. She will be long remembered.

I was one of Dr. Pennington's first students at the C of C. I liked her more than words can tell. She once told me that she valued her Mrs. degree more than her Ph.D. degree because it took more work and was more fun.

Heather,

My sincere condolences to you and your family. Your mother was a most wonderful lady.

A wonderful professor - great memories of her classes!!
Please accept my sincere sympathy,
Sandy Patterson, Class of 1971

I would like to express my condolences to the entire pennington family. I am also a fellow alum. She will be missed by all who knew her directly or indirectly. On behalf of myself and the entire preston family.

Dr.Pennington was a passionate and gracious intellectual.She was deeply committed to her family, students and the College. I am sincerely appreciative of the profound effect she had on my development.

Rahul N. Mehra M.D.
Tampa, Florida

Please accept my deepest condolences. I remember Dr. Pennington so well from my time at C of C. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Dr. Pennington was truly a remarkable person and an educator that was uncompromising in her ideals and expectations (In other words...a TOUGH professor!) I will remember her fondly. She truly made a difference in my life and the lives of countless other College of Charleston students.

I am sorry to hear of Dr. Pennington's death. She taught me Biology 101 in 1987. She impacted me so!

Please accept my sincere condolences to your family.

Ashley: I am so sorry to hear about your mother's passing. I served on the Honor Court with her all four years that I was at the College ('75 - '79) and she was instrumental in convincing me to change from going to medical school to going to law school instead. I remember her as being so kind and encouraging to me. I am sure she will be greatly missed.

I am deeply saddened...so many memories.

Heather and Ashley,

Please accept my condolences on the loss of your mother. I hope you are doing well otherwise.

Amy Andrews
class of 1983

Heather,

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Joy Kurts Hallinan, College of Charleston 1982 and Phi Mu Sister

To the family of Dr. Maggie T. Pennington; I must say she was a wonderful lady, so sweet, intelligent and caring. Our caregivers and I had the opportunity to work with her these last few months and have nothing but wonderful things to say about her. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.-
Sincerely, ResCare Home Care

Please accept my deepest sympathies. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.

From a former CofC biology major and distant cousin,

Paul L. Pennington

Ashley and Heather, Please accept my deepest sympathy for the loss of your mother. She touched and influenced the lives of many at the College. She was quite a unique woman. I know she will be sorely missed.

Ashley, Heather & families -

My husband and I want to give you our deepest condolences. Dr. Maggie was a sweet person.

Kimbrely Webb (Debbie Robertson's daughter)

We have lost a great lady.

Weeping may endure for a night but joy cometh in the morning. Heartfelt sympathies to you during this difficult time. May God forever bless and keep you.

Office Staff of the Provost
and Academic Affairs
College of Charleston

Please accept my deepest sympathies.

Goodbye