BETTY PENNY McGAUGHEY

BETTY PENNY McGAUGHEY 1914 - 2010

Betty enjoyed a wonderful life filled with music, friends, her students, and the love of her family. She was born May 28, 1914 in Kokomo, Indiana to Ernest Lee and Nelle Elizabeth Arthur. During the Depression, she was able to pursue her music career in piano and voice. Betty married her high school sweetheart, Justin E Penny, and moved to Calif. in 1945. They had two children, and later divorced in 1950. Betty became a professional singer and sang with the Masterwork’s Chorale, and the Roger Wagner Chorale. She also taught piano for over 60 years. Several students had continued to keep in touch - She was “loved by all”. Betty directed the Crescenta Valley Women’s Chorus for 47 years, and after retiring, the Chorus still flourishes. She married John McGaughey in 1973, and they enjoyed ten wonderful years of traveling abroad, visiting their summer cabin in “Three Rivers”, Calif, Music, and their Love for eachother until he died suddenly. Betty and her daughter continued traveling to China with “Ambassador of Good Will” Jester Harriston and his chorus, and later, to London, England for the Christmas and New Year’s Holiday. Betty moved to Broomfield, CO to live with her daughter in 2001, leaving so many friends and memories behind. On her 90th birthday, she and her daughter returned to Calif. to celebrate, and to catch up on all those wonderful memories. While in Colorado, she and her daughter took several scenic trips, attended many concerts at the Chatauqua in Boulder, CO. Betty loved life, and found “good” in everyone. She had a certain “innocence” that affected everyone who knew her. Betty is survived by her daughter, Beth Ann Munson of Broomfield, CO, grandchildren, Kelly Rodriguez and Caryn Edwards of Escondido, CA, Diane Jarcow of Beaverton, Ore., Brenda Babcock of Kuna, Idaho, six great grandchildren; Roxanne, Dominick, Miranda, Kylie, Ryan, and Zoe.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John McGaughey and her brother, Richard Arthur. A memorial is being planned in April, 2011 at the gravesite of her parents, at Forest Lawn - North Hollywood. Arrangements will be announced later. Betty would have been so happy to have any Contributions made to the Verdugo Hills Women’s Chorus, 10765 Orange Grove Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91105 Sharon Schlarb