Penelope Crawford Breitlow

WINONAPenelope Crawford Breitlow was born January 5, 1937, at Columbia University Hospital in New York City.She died Tuesday, May 5, 2015, at Saint Anne Extended Healthcare in Winona at the age of 78 surrounded by her family and friends. She grew up in South Minneapolis and graduated from Washburn High School. Penny then attended Carleton College in Northfield, MN and finished her teaching degree at the University of Minnesota.She met John Breitlow at the University in a production of "Oklahoma". They married in 1958 and moved to Winona. She taught at Lincoln and Central Elementary Schools for several years before she and John adopted their children and focused on parenting.Penny was involved in the establishment of the Delahanty Montessori School and sponsored the school's first European-trained Montessori teacher. She was instrumental in starting the Riverhaven School pilot program, "Summer of 72" at St Mary's College. She became a head teacher at Riverhaven in 1975 and continued until it closed in 1990. She continued her love of learning and teaching throughout her life, and inspired this same love in her family, friends and students.She was a member of Woman's Art Class, Portia Club, The Winona County Historical Society, and Mrs. Jaycees. Penny was a devoted volunteer with and champion of the Winona Area Hospice Services, and a board member of the Children's Home Society of Minnesota. She was president of and active within the Women's Fellowship at the First Congregational Church and a Deacon in the church. She was always generous with her time, talent, leadership, and energy and left an enduring mark on the community.She loved the whole world and visited much of it during trips with John and her dear travel companions. She visited Kenya, Peru, Japan, Egypt, Central America, Ireland, England, Scotland, Germany, France, Italy, and many other locations. She captured her trips with photography and honed her skills in the darkroom with her dear friend Kathy Christenson. Penny spent time enjoying the animals at Carla and Tim's ranch, especially her lap buddy Sady. She was an opera lover and often met her friends, the "Opera Ladies," for a night on the town in St. Paul. Penny relished summers at her beloved cabin on Battle Lake where she swam and fished her entire life. She and John loved hosting wine and dinner parties, especially the renowned Winter Solstice party. Penny will be remembered for her great love and devotion to her husband, John, her children and grandchildren. She shared her love of cooking, gardening, music, theater, and art with them, inspiring them to explore, create, taste, and enjoy life's gifts.She is survived by her loving husband John Breitlow, brothers George Crawford and Guy (Sandra) Crawford, son Stanton (Molly) Breitlow, daughter Carla (Tim) Erickson, grandchildren Emily, Dylan, Justin, Ian and Duncan, step great-granddaughter Brielle, nieces, a nephew, and many dear friends.She was preceded in death by her parents William and Jane Crawford, and infant brother Dickie. She was proud to continue the philanthropic legacy of her grandfather, Guy Stanton Ford, founder of the University of Minnesota Graduate School, and President of the University (1938-1941).A service celebrating Penny's life will be held on Saturday, May 23rd at 11:00am at the First Congregational Church, Winona, MN; followed by a reception. A Time of Visitation will be on Friday evening, May 22nd from 4 to 8 pm, at Hoff Celebration of Life Center, Goodview.To honor Penny's generous nature, memorials may be donated to a charity of your choice in Penny's name.
Tribute video can be found at: videos.lifetributes.com/597598