Mrs. Mary Louise Gales Penley

Mary Louise Gales Penley passed away Thursday, February 11, 2016 in Morrisville, NC, at the age of 88. Born April 1, 1927 to William and Laura Bell Gales, Mary grew up in Davie County, NC and moved to Salisbury after marriage where she raised her family and was very involved in her community schools, and church. She was active in the PTA, Civitan Club, Meals on Wheels, and many other organizations where she served as a volunteer. Mary worked both in the school system and with associations that benefited children and adults with special needs. She and her husband were house parents for a group home for mentally handicapped adults. They were also foster parents to several children who cherish the love and attention they gave them. They remember Aunt Weesie who loved them as her own. Mary was a very active member of Coburn United Methodist Church, and later in life, a member of Millford Hills Methodist Church. In 2014, Mary moved to Morrisville to be near her daughter but she always longed to go home. We rejoice that she is finally there! She was preceded in death by her loving husband Bernard, her son Dick, and sisters Frances Miller and Dorcas Vogler Mesimer. Mary is survived by her daughter Rosemary Smith and husband Tim of Morrisville, NC; daughter-in-law Nancy Penley of Salisbury, NC; grandchildren Ashley McMillan and husband Jimmy of Cary, NC, Brad Penley of Salisbury, NC, Stuart Smith and wife Catherine of St. John’s USVI, Elizabeth Penley of Wilmington, NC, and Lauren Wetter and husband Michael of Salisbury, NC. Mary adored her five beautiful great granddaughters Cameron, Sutton, and Brynn Wetter and Emerson and Avery McMillan. She also leaves behind a very special and devoted “daughter” Susie Browne of Cary, NC. The family will receive friends from 11 to 12 noon Thursday at Summersett Funeral Home. The service will be conducted at 12 Noon in the Summersett Memorial Chapel. Burial will follow in the US National Cemetery, Statesville Blvd., Salisbury, NC. The family wants to say a heartfelt thank you to the staff at Preston Pointe where she lived, especially the Comfort Keepers staff and her private duty caregivers Britney, Patricia, and Barbara. Thanks also to Dr. Surah Grumet and staff from Doctors Making House Calls, the 3rd floor nurses, doctors, and staff at Rex Hospital, Dr. Ben Walker, as well as Transitions Life Care of Wake County. Memorials may be made to the ARC of Rowan County, which is dedicated to supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, 108 Dorsett Drive, Salisbury, NC 28144; the Ronald McDonald House, 419 South Hawthorne Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27013 or to the charity of your choice. Summersett Funeral Home is serving the Penley family. Online condolences may be made at www.summersettfuneralhome.com.

Mrs. Mary Louise Gales Penley

April 1, 1927 - February 11, 2016