Penny began working at National Grange Mutual in 1978 and held multiple positions until she decided on a career change in 1995. She began attending the Whitman Beauty Academy where she was trained a nail technician and then worked at The Uptown Salon in Keene NH. She was also able to use her artistic skills as a cake decorator at Hannaford’s in Keene until 2003. She was also employed at the Cheshire County Superior Court, departing as the Deputy Clerk of Courts in 2011. She worked in the closing department of People’s United Bank in Brattleboro VT and most recently before her passing, at Northeast Home Loan in Chesterfield NH as a home loan closing coordinator, where she enjoyed her coworkers as much as the work itself. 

Penny was introduced to her husband Robert C Hawkins Jr by her mother, and she has said that she knew he was “the one” on the first date when he brought gifts for her daughter and colored with her while she got ready. Penny and Rob were married on July 9TH 1994 at their home in Swanzey NH, and she tolerated his eccentricities with grace until her passing, always telling him “I hope you learned something this time!” 

Penny loved seeing wildlife around her home and was always so grateful for the visitors she had from owls and deer around the pond, to hummingbirds visiting her extensive collection of wildflowers and houseplants. She was extremely creative and loved to make things for those she loved but especially enjoyed crocheting or knitting blankets for family, or drawing and framing her creations. She enjoyed cooking, baking and the music of Vance Gilbert, Sawyer Brown and Tommy Castro. Her favorite vacation spot was Wells Beach, ME where the family vacationed for 30 years, reading, walking the beach and enjoying sunrises from the balcony of their room. Penny was also the secretary of the Ashuelot Regional Dart Club as well as being one of the top all stars in the years she played on a team. One of her greatest joys in life was being a Grammy to her three grandsons- Jack Parker, Jonah Rogers and Sawyer Thompson.

Penny was predeceased by both her parents, Robert and Gail, as well as her oldest brother Mike Morris. She is survived by her husband Rob, her daughter Allyson Whitney, her fiancé Eric Thompson, and her children Jonah Rogers and Sawyer Thompson, her two bonus children Ethan Hawkins and Kelly Hawkins Parker and her son Jack Parker, her brothers Rob Morris (partner Luanne Blanchard), Matthew Morris (partner Polly Touzin), Scott Morris (wife Cindy Morris), many nieces and nephews, cousins and friends. 

The family would like to extend their sincere thanks to the nurses of Home Healthcare, Hospice & Community Services organization in Keene NH as well as her visiting nurses Steph and Mary. The family will be holding a private burial but invites friends and loved ones to share in a Celebration of Life for Penny held on Sunday, July 14TH from 10AM-1PM at The Swanzey Community House, 18 Old Richmond Road in Swanzey NH**.** In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society in memory of Penny.