Mary Florence Davis Penberthy

Balboa Island, Calif. — Mary Florence Davis Penberthy died in her home in Newport Beach, on Wednesday, November 3, 2010. She was 86.

Mary was born in Helena, Arkansas, the first daughter of Doll and Mike Davis. She graduated from Washington University in St. Louis.

At a USO event in the early days of World War II, Mary caught the eye of the young airman who would become her husband of sixty-two years.

“He always managed to leave the dance with the prettiest girl in the room on his arm,” said a lifelong best friend of Farrier (Fay) Penberthy, whom Mary wed on March 24, 1945.

After the war, Mary and Fay settled in Yreka, California. Fay was president of Pine Mountain Lumber Company, while Mary concentrated on their five children - Stephen, Gary, Deborah, Sue, and Thomas.

Mary was passionate about her community, serving on the School Board and PTA, led Boy Scout troops, ran a thrift shop at her church, and was a founder of the Madrone Hospice, which has in its 25 years provided compassionate care to more than 2,500 patients and their families.

Mary had a knack for bringing people together, and an incredible gift for forging bonds with family and friends that have lasted a lifetime, transcended hardships, and spanned three generations and counting.

Mary is survived by her sister Beverly McCarthy of Baltimore, Maryland, her five children, eleven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren, all of whom were with her, sharing her laughter and love, in her final days.

A celebration of Mary’s life will be held Friday, November 19 at Newport Harbor Yacht Club in Newport Beach.