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Memorial Keepers(1)
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Heather Sandell
Penelope's Sister
Penelope Anne Beasley
August 18th, 1969 - December 23rd, 2020
August 18th, 1969 - December 23rd, 2020
My sister, Penny, died the day before Christmas Eve 2020 after a year-long battle with pancreatic cancer. She is survived by her father, John Beasley, her sister, Heather Sandell (me), her brother-in-law, Jeremy Sandell (my husband), and her two furry nieces, Zen and Zephyr (my girls). And, yes, she thought of them that way. Penny graduated from Hume-Fogg Academic High School in 1987 and liked school so much she decided to never leave. She was working towards her touchy-feely doctorate, as she called it, even during the fight with cancer. She was a consummate workaholic, worrying about doing her best for her students and trying to ensure they'd be taken care of once she was gone. She even worked long hours the week before she died. She spent all her life caring for others. She was well travelled and enjoyed going new places and experiencing new things. And, boy, did she love to read! But most of all, she was my sister, and she will be sorely missed. We bickered, as siblings do, growing up. She dumped a pitcher of water over my head, I irritated her and stole her things. But we grew close as we got older. I was honored to be the one she wanted to stay near her at the end. Sis, I love you and will miss you always. May you have found heaven's library and be able to read for all eternity.
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Tributes
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Isaac Gwin
Penny was my counselor in the college of business and helped me decide what my career was going to be and which major(s) would be right. She was so thoughtful and supportive in those conversations. She let me just say lots of things and back track and then offer her perspective. She was a great mentor and person.
Nayasha Farrior
I just cannot believe that I will not see Penny roaming the halls of Haslam any more. She was a colleague and a friend and one of my mentors here at UTK. She and I were able to bond over the fact that we are both from Nashville (she graduating from Hume Fogg and I graduated from Hunters Lane.) She was one of the smart kids. We also bonded because she knew that I was an AKA and she would tell me about her undergraduate roommate who was also an AKA and she would tell stories about her busting into their dorm room and telling Penny to say that if anyone ever asked her, that everything in the room was Penny's. We always laughed about that. She mentored me for the 6.5 years that I worked in the Undergraduate Programs. Shedding tears with me when I shared some of my most challenging life experiences. She was diagnosed with cancer after I had transitioned to another office, and when I would see her in the halls of Haslam and try to ask her about how she was doing, she would answer, but would quickly change the subject to ask how me and my family were doing. Penny cared about people. She had so much love for people. The way she cared about others should be all of our life goals. And her work ethic always amazed me. Rarely missing a day of work. I will miss seeing her and miss her smile. She may be gone, but she will never be forgotten.
Amy Jared
UT has been a place I have called home for 5 years now. Penny was one of the first people I called a colleague, mentor, and friend. She, as many others have stated, was one of the hardest workers I have ever known and seemed to know the answer to just about any question that was asked. Her laugh and humor were just a few of the many amazing qualities that made her "Penny". She was keen and brilliant in both work and people. This was one of the many reasons I loved her and appreciated her. I feel like I could write a book about her and all she was. She was so dynamic and intentional. She knew what needed to be done and did not put it off - she got it done. She was also my supervisor for 2 years and I was able to learn and grow under her. I just picked up the phone last week to call her - this is how lasting an impression she made on me and this college. She will be so very missed by me and everyone in the college. I am so thankful UT brought us together and I was able to get to know such an amazing human.
Debbie Crowder
I worked with Penny for several years as an IT support person. She was always on top of what needed to be done to prepare a new group of students, was conscientious and loved doing her job. She was wonderful to work with. I have many pleasant memories of her.
Umeka Foreman
I was sadden to find out that Penny, my former classmate and teammate, is no longer with us. I recall the days that she, Myra and myself would "HIKE" across town with full bags in tow to get the car so we (more specifically I) could make it to the game while they babysat me. Thank you for tirelessly being at practices and games on a "winning" team, dealing with our various personalities and helping me pursuit my athletic dreams such as they were. Heather and family you have my condolences. God Bless Penny.
Laura Trainer
I had the absolute pleasure to work with Penny for over 15 years in the undergraduate programs office of the Haslam College of Business. I would be hard-pressed to think of any colleague that I admired and respected more than Penny. Her work-ethic, dedication and intelligence were unmatched and she was beloved by students and colleagues alike. I will miss her so much and I am so grateful to be her colleague.
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