Penny Mawdsley, whose A Penn’orth column was a valued regular in Sofia, sadly died on Sunday 9th of March. John Pearson offers a brief reflection on her life.
Penny was a friend and sometimes co-conspirator for over 30 years, born out of our work together for and within the Network which I think we both loved equally … particularly whilst, Pre-Covid, Penny was still well and the organisation was still in its prime.
Penny first bounced irrepressibly into my life at a Leicester Conference in 1992, taking me, shy newcomer, under her wing, as she must have done for others in her time. We participated in many more until an unforgiving end was put to such gatherings by Covid. As it happens, 2019 was also the last year that Penny was instrumental in designing and managing the event.
So, for over 27 years we plotted and planned with others, putting the show on the road. Penny would excitedly create special events each year – rushing “from pillar to post” like a 40, 50 or 60-something teenager executing them – such as the tenth year conference, at which she created a “formal dinner”. I remember her filling the 7.30 early morning “Worthship“ slots with, for example, guided tours of the Botanical Gardens, to the accompaniment of poetry or music which she had chosen. So, some great memories and one of my greatest friendships were born..
Penny was an immensely creative force in the Network across the years, doing much in her various official capacities over time, including her stint as Chair of the Trustees. But she will be remembered principally, I feel, for her contribution “on the ground” at Conference and through Portholes and her Merseyside Local Group. As Editor of “Portholes” and Local Group Co-ordinator she took on the additional mantle of Pastoral Officer .. relating to members around the country as nobody had before, visiting each group and corresponding with members across the year.
Penny was certainly no fool, and seemed disinclined to suffer fools gladly (though was always kind to them in person). So, we huffed and puffed together about some decision by the Trustees or of an individual (in the Pub’ after a tiresome Trustees meeting or over our nightly shared bottle of Claret at Leicester). However, though a very clever, very wise and serious force to be reckoned with Penny could always see the funny side, and could laugh at herself. As we all might, she could get the “wrong end of the stick” occasionally, but having dug a hole sometimes dug it deeper. On hearing that a certain bank had collapsed she urgently emailed the rest of us…“our bank has gone bust” – in fact another bank with a very similar name. Much trepidation ensued, until a correction was made! On a personal note I remember her response on my telling her that her favourite Leicester tree (under which she had always vowed to have her her heart buried one day) had been chopped down. “Ooops” she said… “have to re-think that?” We also corresponded outside the immediate realms of Sea of Faith. Our regular exchange of Christmas Letters fostered and cemented further friendship and understanding of one another’s worlds… though the understanding was not quite 100%. On one family visit to Liverpool Penny kindly treated us to a magnificent roast dinner.. Only later did it emerge that we seldom had such a feast, and neither did she. We had each gone along with what we supposed was the norm for the other.. We had a good laugh at that.
I vividly remember Penny’s initial stoical telephone call informing me of her diagnosis. In admirably calm and measured tones she told me the worst. Subsequently she kept myself and others informed along the way. Penny did well to stay, superficially at least, as fit as she was for so long. I’m sure all were pleased to see her on-line at the SoF ‘Conversation” sessions until quite recently, and it was particularly good that she was able to join us all last year in London, to mark the 40th year of the Network. She was a driving force in it for all 40.
Penny, through her life and work gained a great many friends, and it was good to see that over 120 of them attend events held in her memory.