Flora Jean “Penny” Snarrenberg (March 6, 1948 – April 3, 2026) was welcomed into heaven by Jesus, where we trust she was joyfully reunited with her husband, John.

Penny was born in Cleveland, Ohio, the firstborn daughter of Joseph and Betty Palmer. She was raised in Cleveland as the eldest of four children.

In 1972, Penny welcomed her son, Eric, whom she loved deeply. She worked tirelessly to build a life for them both, working nights as a nurse’s aide at Valley General Hospital in Monroe and eventually earning her RN from Everett Community College.

In August of 1987, Penny married John Snarrenberg, and together they built a life in Bow, Washington. Following their marriage, she began her long and meaningful career as Nurse Manager of Home Health at Island Hospital in Anacortes, where she served with compassion and leadership for nearly 30 years until her retirement. She also continued her calling to care for others as a volunteer nurse during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Penny had a warm and inviting spirit and was known for her deep hospitality. She had a gift for making people feel at home and, alongside John, welcomed countless family members, friends, and neighbors into their home on Chuckanut Drive. She had a great sense of humor, a strong will, and a feisty, determined nature that those close to her knew well.

She was proud of her Italian heritage, which she expressed through her love of cooking, gathering, and family traditions. Penny lived with a true sense of adventure and was always on the go. Over the years, her travels took her to Paris, European Christmas markets, Oktoberfest in Germany, Boston, Hawaii, Washington, D.C., Puerto Vallarta, San Diego, a Mississippi River cruise, and cooking classes in Sicily—experiences she embraced with curiosity and joy.

At home, she found happiness in life’s simple pleasures—playing pickleball, tending to her garden, and especially nurturing her roses. She took great pride in participating in rose competitions at Christianson's Nursery, where her love of gardening truly flourished.

Her faith was central to her life. She found deep connection and joy through her church community at Bethany Covenant Church, where she especially loved singing in the choir and growing in her faith.

Penny will be deeply missed by all who knew her. She was preceded in death by her husband, John; her parents, Joseph Palmer and Betty Hendricks; and her sister, Gail Parks.

She is survived by her son, Eric; her sister, Pat Johnsen; her brother, Joe Palmer; and many cherished nieces and nephews—especially her grandnieces and nephew, Lucy, Ella, and Charlie Wasson, and Solstice Johnsen. The family is also especially grateful for her dear friend, Gerry Travers.

All are invited to join us for a Celebration of Life at her church home, Bethany Covenant Church on Saturday, April 11th at 1:00 PM.

Our family is deeply grateful for the care Penny received from medical professionals over the past several years, months, and days. As a retired nurse, we would be remiss not to recognize the incredible nurses who cared for her in her final hours—Cliff, Cathy, Jess, Cheng, Julie, Kristina, and Sophie.