I am so sorry that I was unable to attend the memorial service for your wonderful mom, Penelope Swenson, Dr. Swenson. I was part of a cohort of students that she mentored and guided us thru the Masters in Education--mine in Educational Technology. She took a chance with us varied group of Orthodox Jewish (the first cohort) women, from all over the world to create a cohesive wonderful learning environment. She challenged us and taught us so much, and opened my mind up to so many new things in education and technology. During that time, many of us shared life experiences both good and sad (my father passed away during that time), and she was filled with sage advice and caring. Family was always so important to her. After the program, she remained a mentor and advisor in my life. I've enjoyed both the more formal interactions and the informal, thru facebook and her blog. I will cherish the memories. My heart and prayers go out to you and your family.

Laurie Solomon Cohen
Silver Spring, Maryland

I worked as a principal with Penny when she was at Mojave. It is so hard for me to take in the fact she is gone. To me, she was always ‘bigger than life’ so to speak. I had a tremendous admiration for her and so enjoyed seeing her from time to time when she would attend the county CAC meetings. We were bound by our Mojave experiences, but beyond that I did not know her very deeply. What I do know was that she was a wonderful person, a loving mother and wife – so dedicated to her family, she was a deeply moral person and deeply devoted to her beliefs. She was highly professional and a wonderful thinker. Even though I did not see her often, I feel her absence in bewilderment that she is gone so soon. She meant so much to me. Please be comforted in the love she left on this earth and know there are many, like me, that you may not really know, but who knew her and loved her and will be missing her too. I am so sorry for your loss and hope that time and faith will comfort you.

Philomena Hall