BATH — Cora E. Pennell, 89, died in Brunswick on Dec. 22 after a brief illness.

Born August 16, 1922 in West Bath, she was a daughter of Frank and Rita White Durant. She attended Bath schools and graduated from Morse High School in 1941. After she graduated, she was employed by the safety department at Bath Iron Works.

On Dec. 12, 1944, she married Leon B. Pennell at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Fla., and in 1945 they returned to Bath to raise their family.

A wonderful cook and homemaker, “Grammy Cora” was renowned for her delicious brownies and beloved for her nurturing ways. She made lifelong friends wherever she went, including during the eight years the family resided in Penacook, N.H.

She enjoyed spending time in the outdoors, whether at the beach, aboard the “Afta Five,” or at the “Duck Camp.” She took great joy in cooking for her large family, her many friends and all the children in the school lunch programs in Penacook and Bath. Pennell was especially close to and proud of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and loved supporting their many endeavors.

Pennell was predeceased by her parents; sister Edna Lee; brothers Austin Durant, Gene Libby and Fred Bolduc; daughter Lee Pennell; and granddaughter Amanda Marco.

Surviving are her husband of 67 years, “Penn” of Bath; her daughters Joyce Marco and husband Gil of Phippsburg, Jan Morse and companion Bob Graves of Bath, Lynn Atkinson of Bath and Jeanne McNeill of Bath; honorary daughter Sue Rogers and husband Phil of West Bath; seven grandchildren Joey and Jason Marco, Josh and Jack Harte, Jillian Atkinson and Jake and Jacely McNeill; three great-grandchildren Avery and Deirdre Harte and Wyatt Marco; sisters Mary Mathieu and Audrey Trafton; brother Andrew Long; and many cherished nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Pennell was a faithful parishioner of St. Mary’s Church in Bath, where a memorial Mass will be celebrated on Jan. 14 at 11 a.m. with reception to follow.

The family deeply appreciates the compassionate care Pennell received during her final days at the Bodwell Unit of the Mid Coast Senior Health Center in Brunswick. Memorial contributions in her name may be made to the Bodwell Center, 58 Baribeau Dr., Brunswick, 04011 or to the giver’s charity of choice.

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