Obituary for
Donna Pennisi Norris
Donna Pennisi Norris, 76, of Compton, died peacefully December 5, 2023 in Leonardtown, MD.
Born December 20, 1946, in Troy, New York, she was the daughter of the late Charles C. “Pennie” Pennisi and Priscilla A. “Boots” Davis Pennisi.
She is survived by her husband John E. “Jackie” Norris, whom she married August 9, 1964 in Leonardtown, MD. She is also survived by her daughter, Cindy Carroll, and husband Duane of Leonardtown, MD. Son, Gary Norris, wife Tina, of Clements, MD. Her siblings Charles A. “Andy” Pennisi of Leonardtown, MD, Catherine Ann Damoth Bohanan of Rockledge, FL and her precious grandchildren, Nick and Ben Carroll.
Donna graduated from St. Mary’s Academy in 1964. She worked at the St. Mary’s Sheriff’s Office until she and her husband took over Pennies Bar from her parents in 1973. It was there, in running the bar alongside Jackie for several decades that she developed many lasting friendships and bonds with so many residents of St. Mary’s County. She and Jackie continued to run the family business until retirement in December 2005.
Her life revolved around her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed spending time with them at all of the family gatherings. She also enjoyed watching sports, especially the ones that Gary, Nick and Ben played. You could also find her enjoying the monthly luncheons with the “Pennies” girls, where they would catch up on the many memories they shared.
The family will receive friends on December 14, 2023 from 10:00 AM to12:30PM at the Mattingly Gardner Funeral Home in Leonardtown. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Aloysius Church in Leonardtown, December 14, 2023 at 1:00 PM by Father David Beaubien officiating. Interment will follow at Charles Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Leonardtown, MD. Pallbearers will be Ben Carroll, Nick Carroll, Tony Norris, John Pennisi, Donald Quade, and Brett Williar.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary’s Nursing Center, 21585 Peabody Street, Leonardtown, MD 20650; or Hospice of St. Mary’s, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650.
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