Penelope Kocinski Watkins

Penelope (Penny) Kocinski Watkins, St George Utah age 72, Born May 26 1947 to the parents of Eugene John and Mary Kate Scoggins Kocinski in SLC Utah. Died January 26 2020 at her home surrounded by loved ones after a courageous battle with cancer. Married Bill Watkins May 3 2000 in St George, Utah. Raised in SLC Utah. Graduated from West High School 1965. Previously Married to Douglas Blaine Brown July 1966 SLC Utah. Out of that union Penny was blessed with 2 daughters, Lisa Kaye and Tiffanie Paige. Penny touched the lives of so many and was blessed and adored by even more. Survived by her Husband Bill and daughters Lisa Barry (James) , and Tiffanie Brownlee (fiance ,John Good) Step son Michael Watkins (Jamie) , 8 grandchildren, BJ Giles(Shannon) Megan Brownlee (fiance, Brett DeMill) Mekynzie Jensen (Jordan) Gina Romberger (Gavin) Nicole Stapelton (Darren) Afton Brownlee, Kambrie Brownlee,and Cienna Boulet. 10 great grandchildren and several Step grand and great grandchildren. Siblings John Kocinski (Rosie) Lorri Puchlik (Ken) Richard Kocinski (Jodi) several Nieces and Nephews and beloved cousins. Preceded in death by her parents and her brother Christopher Kocinski. The Family would like to Thank the Staff at Dixie Regional Medical Center , Dr Lewis, Dr Karen Radley, Dr Te ,Dixie Primary Care, and Dixie Home Rehab and Hospice team and Serenity Mortuary. Memorial Services will be held on Saturday February 22 2020, 1 pm at the Shepherd of the Hills United Methodist Church 920 Tonaquint Dr St George Utah 84770, Ashes will be spread in the memory garden following services. Light luncheon will be served by UMW. In lieu of flowers donations accepted to “A Penny from Penelope” charity fund, link attached at the end of her life sketch. Penny grew up in Knolls, Utah 35 miles west of Wendover NV and SLC, Utah, her family moved to 358 Marion Street ½ block from the Utah State Fair Grounds and later moved to 1152 Oakley Street Rose Park. Penny attended Onequa Elementary, Judge Memorial Jr High and starting her Sophomore year at West High, Home of the Panthers, graduating class of 1965. Patricia and Mary were her childhood friends and up to the time of her death Mary Coon and Penny remained dear friends and blessed each other over the years. In Jr High her handwriting was terrible and she was made to take a special handwriting class and has been revered for her beautiful penmanship ever since. Penny was elected for Girls state and one of her fondest highschool memories and Debate her favorite subject. Penny loved to dance, at the Kocinski family Christmas parties, Officers club in Fort Sill, Uncle Elmer’s dance studio anywhere and everywhere, and to watch her was fabulous. Penny worked as a cashier at Macey’s grocery store on 10th north and loved Bob Macey. The Kocinski family lived next door to Blaine and Ruth Brown and their 7 children, their son Douglas and Penny were highschool sweethearts and she married the boy next door literally. Lisa her oldest was born in Salt Lake City the day her father was graduating from Officer candidate school, and Tiffanie in Lawton Fort Sill, Oklahoma with Doug’s mom Ruth there to help. Penny held the difficult title of Army Wife during the Vietnam War. While Doug was away Penny had a lot of support from her family and close friends and In-laws. Her brother John babysat Lisa and Tiffanie while she worked outside the home to help out financially. Her brother Richard was born only 7 months before Lisa and Penny had the beautiful privilege of being pregnant at the same time as her mom Kay. Doug and Penny moved several times with the Army- Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Minnesota, and Oklahoma were just a few. They settled in Lawton and while there Penny worked at Brunswick Bowling Alley. Penny was active on a womens bowling league and also belonged to a Bridge club playing both Bridge and Pinochle. Doug and Penny later divorced and she married Frank Merritt whom she met in Lawton. Frank and Penny moved back to SLC and she was employed by SkyWest Airlines doing administration and later Farmers Insurance. One of the many times Penny took Lisa to her Doctors appointments at Dr McMains office in the Avenues she landed her first medical job as front and back office employee which would be the beginning of her long medical career. Frank and Penny were members of the Masons and then Penny was part of the Women's Shriners Auxiliary. They later divorced then Penny introduced Frank to her Cousin Donna. Donna and Frank have been married 42 years and both have been a special part of Penny’s life and the life of her children and grandchildren. Penny worked at an Optometrist Clinic in Crossroads Mall, where she met John Zoolakis. Him and his boys have always held a special place in her heart. Penny worked her way into the position of an Administrator of Charter Summit Hospital where she met her Husband Steve Walker who had 2 children, Shane(Kristy) and Melinda (preceded her in death) whom she cherished. They both lived in Pleasant Grove and for a short time in Fillmore, Utah running the Fillmore Motel as General Managers. Later Penny had the opportunity to work for a company that took her to Germany. Starting up medical clinics where insurance billing was the focus and turned into her being her own independent contractor in Utah. Steve and Penny loved to go camping, fishing and traveling, among their favorites were Quartzsite AZ and Tabiona UT. Growing Penny’s love of Rock collecting. After her father died, and penny was recently divorced, She moved to St George Utah to take care of her precious mother. Penny met Bill Watkins and they were married on May 3 2000, Penny passed shortly before their 21st wedding anniversary. Penny worked in Dr Rhoades office in St George until she retired. She helped out on several projects with her sister Lorri for the St George Area Chamber of Commerce and Southwest Credit Union. Bill and Penny were members of the Shepherd of the Hills Methodist church in St George. They were very involved in volunteering their time. Penny loved backpacks for kids, prison ministries via correspondence, the soup kitchen, being a part of the UMW, and was proud to have sponsored a Girl from a foreign country. They both liked to travel to various destinations, Palm Springs became a favorite getaway. She loved local Plays, musicals and symphonies. Regular visits to Olive Garden and Cracker Barrel for her favorite zuppa toscana soup, lemon cream cake, and turnip greens, but at the end of the day a good cheeseburger was her favorite. Penny prided herself on never bouncing a check in 56 years and made sure you knew she had no tolerance for messy bookkeeping and helped her dad manage the properties owned in the family. Penny loved people and was an angel to many throughout her life. Privately sending money or helping out in one form or another in supportive ways. When she met you she drew you in inquiring about your successes, problems and became a huge cheerleader to so many celebrating and mourning with you. Penny became a celebrity at the hospital. The staff lined up to give her high fives as they wheeled her out to go home. Even clear from Australia, a lady called Penny her other MUM from halfway around the world. WE JUST LOVE HER was always always the response we got from everyone that knew her. Penny adored her nieces and nephews, she was always seeking creative ways to be active in their life whether close or far away. Grandma Penny was known for her intense love of her grandchildren. Her bond ran deep with everyone one of them in their own special way especially her little caboose Cienna Grace, her little soul mate. She was blessed with many step grandchildren that she took under her wing and treated as her own. With each new great grandchild, Cohen, Cruze, Jamisen, Jayzlie, Jayde, Caz, Lockton, Phoebe, and Jhett came a special connection, they were mesmerized and could not get enough of Grandma Penny. Even at the end, from her hospital bed, she made sure they all got their presents. Days from dying she was still thinking of others and wanting to make holiday packages for those around her. Penny loved her Savior and found peace watching Joyce Myers. She wanted to pass on her love of her savior, his message of peace, compassion, and forgiveness, Penny truly loved and cared for everyone deeply. Penelope definitely was phenomenal! Her legacy will live on through her children and all her grandchildren, and in the very end just wanted to come home and have her grandbabies read to her, and so her wish was granted. We have set up a fund in lieu of flowers to honor her giving heart, “Pennies from Penelope” we will be purchasing books and blankets to take to the hospital to read to patients and leave them with a gift from Penny. We hope to expand her charity over time, she gave in small ways that impacted monumentally. That is who Penny was, your family misses you already! You left the biggest hole that will never be filled. http://www.mightycause.com/story/P46nbg

Penelope Kocinski Watkins

May 26, 1947 - January 26, 2020