Obituary of Merrilyn Penegor

Merrilyn K. Penegor (nee Lester), passed away October 25, 2023 in Lexington, Kentucky after a long illness. She was born December 4, 1933 in Detroit, Michigan to Frank and Mae Lester. Merrilyn grew up in Detroit and nearby Royal Oak, but spent summers in Beulah, Michigan, where her family had a farm and cherry orchard. She attended Michigan State University and graduated in 1954 with a degree in Home Economics, which at that time included Early Childhood Education. It was at Michigan State that her roommate convinced her to go on a blind date with Donald Penegor. They married in 1957 and remained happily married for 56 years. Merrilyn and Don moved to Frankfort, Kentucky in 1961 and raised four children there. In the 1960s and 70s, Merrilyn taught at the First Presbyterian Church’s Weekday Community Preschool before she and a friend ran the Kids’ Stuff Preschool at the Episcopal Church. Merrilyn was also active in the Frankfort Younger Women’s Club and did some bookkeeping. After Don retired, the Penegors split their time between Frankfort and Lehigh Acres, Florida. Throughout her life, Merrilyn enjoyed playing the piano, singing in the choir, golfing, bridge, boating, travel, cooking, and socializing with her many friends and acquaintances. One of her greatest joys was welcoming seven grandchildren into her family. Merrilyn was preceded in death by her husband Don and grandson, Garcia. She is survived by her children Tom Penegor (Belinda), Barbara Penegor, Susan Warren (Joe), and Scott Penegor (Shannon); grandchildren Carter, Keegan,Rachael, Matthew, Christian, and Olivia; her brother Robert Lester (Marilyn) of Annapolis, MD; and many nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank the staffs at Liberty Ridge Senior Living and Lexington Country Place for the care they showed Merrilyn in her final years. Funeral services will be 1:00 pm Wednesday, November 1st at Rogers Funeral Home in Frankfort with visitation beginning at 11:00 am. Burial will follow in the Frankfort Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to Bluegrass Care Navigators (Hospice) or Lexington Country Place.