Obituary of Gladys Pen

Gladys “Mae” Pen Gladys “Mae” Griffith Pen, 89, of Olympia, Washington, fell asleep on Thursday May 3, 2012, with friends by her side. Mae was born on February 19, 1923, on a farm near Pollock, South Dakota, to Lenard Edward Johnson and Sarah Elizabeth Johnson. She attended schools in Intake, Richey and Savage, Montana. Mae and her mother began studying the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1934 and Mae was baptized in the Yellowstone River at Savage, Montana, at age 13. Mae took up the ministry work with her mother, and later with a good friend. She travelled a lot, engaged in the ministry in Montana and North Dakota. It was during this time that she met her first husband, Bill Griffith. They were married on August 1, 1941, and worked together in the full-time ministry for many years before settling down in the Seattle area and later retiring in Sequim, Washington. After Bill died suddenly in January 1980, Mae moved to the Lacey-Olympia area, and met and married her husband, Marshall Pen on November 15, 1986. Mae is survived by her husband, Marshall Pen, of Olympia, Washington, a sister, Margie Mitchell, of Darby, Montana, and nieces and nephews. Although Mae never had children of her own, she was blessed with many friends who loved her very much, especially her “adopted daughters” who enjoyed nothing more than to sit and drink tea with her, talking about her life experiences, and laughing and giggling. Among her “daughters” was a very special friend, Margie Clement, of Sequim, who died last year and left a huge hole in Mae’s heart. Whether dressed in a linen suit with pearls, or her favorite jeans, silk blouse and cardigan, she always looked perfect. She never left the house without her hair and make-up done. All who knew Mae would agree that she was a beautiful woman and always a lady. But most of all she was a treasured friend who will be greatly missed. Please leave memories of Mae or condolences for the family in the Guestbook below.