Mildred Lucille 'Penny' (Pence) Sexton, 86

Mildred Lucille "Penny" (Pence) Sexton died Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010, at home in her sleep. Penny was born on Sept. 22, 1924, to Orville and Merle Pence. She had a younger sister, Shirlee Olson and the family's roots went deep in North Idaho.

Penny graduated from high school in Palo Alto, Calif. She spent her professional life working as an executive secretary and as a legal secretary in Tacoma, Wash., and as a secretary to the Coeur d'Alene City Attorney. She was married three times: On Feb. 14, 1945, she married Ed Szurszewski of Pittsburgh, Pa., with whom she had two children; Mary Eileen Hanan of Tacoma and Charles Szurszewski of Olympia, Wash. After their divorce she married Chuck Steensland and they resided together in the Tacoma area. After her children were raised she returned to Coeur d'Alene to be near her parents and sister. On March 28, 1992, she married Frank Sexton, the city's Fire Chief, who died on Jan. 30, 2005.

She is survived by her sister, Shirlee Olson; her brother-in-law, Bob Olson; her daughter, Eileen Hanan; her son, Chuck Szurszewski (and his wife Chris Meserve); as well as five step-children. She is also survived by seven grandchildren; Danika Pedersen, Joshua Szurszewski, Daecia Cozine, Sonja Berry, Kevin Meserve, Aric Gerspacher and Evan Gerspacher. She also has three great-grandchildren: Livia, Jeremiah and Soleila. She leaves behind also her niece Ginny Drevlow and her beloved dogs, Sully and Cassie.

In addition to her parents and her husband, Frank, she was preceded in death by her nephews, Bobby and Kenny Olson.

Penny was an indulgent and fiercely proud Mom and Grandmother. She adored her friends and family. She was smart, funny and compassionate. She was an unabashed liberal and saw the best in everyone.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23, 2010, at English Funeral Chapel, 1133 N. Fourth St., (Fourth and Harrison) Coeur d'Alene.

Please sign Penny's guest registry and view her online memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.