Marian was a kind, thoughtful woman. She embodied the qualities of a true humanitarian. Highly intelligent, Marian wore her learning lightly. She is deeply missed. My condolences to Phil and Pat, to Judith, Rebecca, Anna, Caitlin and their families.

A letter arrives. From Anna in Liverpool. “Marian was a special person to many, she introduced my Mum to the Quaker faith”. She became a ‘proxy’ gran to Anna’s daughters. Anna says “ She was a rarity, could see God in all men, I wish more of us could…”

I got an email recently from one of Marian’s Lancashire Quakers Friends, Joanne. Joanne said she thought activism was the preserve of younger adults, but had to rapidly revise her opinions when she met an 80 year old called Marian Penny. Joanne says Marian espoused support of such things as meditation for prisoners and the teaching of peace in our schools, not necessarily mainstream viewpoints. And as Joanne says, with a quiet consistency.

Marian was exactly what an Aunty should be. As little boys, Marian made up magical stories and sat on our beds and read them out of her head. As older children, she bundled us into her car and took us on long walks to Holcombe Hill or Rivington Pike. Later, she was always interested in how our lives were progressing, always listened to what we had to say, and always had respect for those things without necessarily agreeing. We couldn’t have wished for a better Aunty, Pete and I. God’s own singer of songs is going home.