Penelope Thorne Bryan—known to many simply as "Penny"—entered the world on October 21, 1942, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, the first child of Martin and Marion Betts Thorne. She was the oldest of her 4 siblings: April Davis, Candy Rasler, Greg (who surely greeted her with a grin), and Suellen Golba.

A proud graduate of South Side High School's Class of 1960, Penny began adulthood sensibly enough at Lincoln Life Insurance.  After a few months Penny was craving an adventure so headed out east to bike the coast.   Before "finding yourself" was fashionable, Penny had already pedaled through it.

Eventually, at the loving insistence of her parents, she returned home to Fort Wayne. There, she worked in several roles within Fort Wayne Community Schools,  with her most cherished position being the secretary at Abbett Elementary.

She was a devout mother to Martin (Tracey) and Patrick (Elizabeth), and was happiest when surrounded by her grandchildren: Abbie, Collin, Connor, Aiden, Lucy, and Miriam. Whether you were an old friend or new, or even a stray cat for that matter, you never forgot Penny's kindness. She for sure never knew a stranger.

Penny lived in a way that suggested rules were guidelines, work should matter, family was everything, and sometimes the correct response to life is simply to get on a bicycle and see where the road leads.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Fort Wayne Human Society in Penny's honor.

A celebration of her life will be held this summer.