Isabel Maclellan Penman
The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution announces with great sorrow the death of retiree Isabel Maclellan Penman on March 27, 2024. She was 81.
Isabel was the daughter of the late Glendon and Charlotte (MacLellan) Hilton. Considered a lifetime “Woods Holian.” She lived most of her life (over 78 years) on Glendon Road in
Woods Hole.
Isabel graduated from Lawrence High School in 1960. In the 1980’s she worked at Jimmy’s for Jimmy & Peggy Salthouse. She began her career at WHOI in 1986 as a senior telecom operator, dispatcher, and receptionist where she spent many years in the Smith Lobby until her retirement in 2013. She was rehired on a casual basis in 2013 and ended that status in 2023. Isabel loved decorating the Smith Lobby and it was her idea to put goodies for the “snack bar” out to anyone that wanted to grab something. She was also a regular “fixture” at the WHOI summer picnic throughout the years.
As she aged in the past few years, her nieces Janice Palmer, Robin Palmer, and Lydia Cleveland helped her downsize and transition from her house of almost 60 years. Leaving Woods Hole was not easy for her, but they helped tremendously with this major change.
During her lifetime she enjoyed knitting, crossword books, and if you knew Isabel you know she most enjoyed yelling BINGO!
For the past few years, she had been an active member of the Falmouth Emblem Club #445. She absolutely loved being a part of the club and served as the President.
She is predeceased by her parents; brother George "Pudge" Hilton; sisters Glenda R. Stewart, Francis Jane Cleveland and daughter Charlotte I. Penman. She is survived by her daughters Jane Reckner (Tom) of Waquoit, MA, and Dawn Quattlebaum (George) of Savannah, GA. Former husband Norman Penman. Grandchildren: JD Vanase, Michelle Reckner, Shawn Reckner, Alex Quattlebaum and Lauren Quattlebaum. Great grandchildren Aralyn and Jackson. Sister Ida Baker of Woods Hole and many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.
Special thank you to the wonderful staff at the JML Care Center who have taken great care of mom for the past year. She enjoyed taking charge of the hallways in her wheelchair, hanging out at the reception desk (that’s how she could keep up with what was going on) and knowing she had “special” privileges to go outside and sit in the sun.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggest you consider a donation in Isabel's memory be made to the Woods Hole Historical Museum, P.O. Box 185, Woods Hole, Mass., 02543 or to the MSAEC (Massachusetts Assoc Emblem Club Scholarship Fund) – Attn: Carla Horton - Scholarship Chairman - 16 Lewis St., Saugus, Mass., 01906.
A celebration of life will be Saturday, April 27, 2024. Details to follow.
Go play Bingo and maybe you will get the chance to yell BINGO in her memory.
<em>Information for this obituary is from the Chapman Funeral Home website</em>