Penny Whatley, age 67, passed away on June 22, 2026. She was born on January 18, 1959.

Penny worked as a bartender when her children were young before beginning her career with Washington State Ferries, where she worked for many years until retiring in 2020.

Penny's life revolved around her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Nothing made her smile brighter than having her family near. She was immensely proud of them and loved telling others about them every chance she had.

Penny loved music and dancing, especially when Richard would spin her around the dance floor. She also loved cooking and baking for her family and friends. Cooking was her love language, and she was known for making enough food to feed an army, ensuring that everyone who entered her home felt like family. Her homemade bread, cinnamon rolls, Indian tacos, and potato soup will be dearly missed.

Penny was one of the strongest and most independent women her family had ever known. Through her example, she taught them how to stand on their own feet, persevere through life's challenges, and find strength even during the most difficult times. She showed them that true strength is not simply enduring hardship, but facing it with grace, faith, and determination.

Her faith was the foundation of her life. Penny loved God with all her heart and trusted Him through every season. Her faith gave her strength, comfort, and hope, and she shared it through the kindness, forgiveness, generosity, and compassion she extended to others.

Penny will be remembered for her beautiful blue eyes, bright smile, joyful laughter, caring heart, and her ability to make everything feel better with the simple words, "Momma loves you." Her legacy of faith, strength, independence, generosity, and unconditional love will live on through every lesson she taught and every memory her family cherishes.

She was preceded in death by her son, Keith Cain; husband, Marcus Whatley; parents, Ann and Art Mesford; father, Edwin Curran; grandmother, Mary Wicks; and father-in-law, Chris Whatley.

Penny is survived by her daughter, Stephanie Campbell and husband Joe, and their children, Cody and wife Traci, and Riely and Mikayla; son, Richard Canapo and wife Tammy, and their children, Zoie and Robert, and Zach; daughter, Crystal Canapo, and her children, Roberto and Norma, and Nevaeh; Keith's children, Annalise and Tim, Clyde and Brittany, Samantha and Ryan, and Briar; mother-in-law, Margaret Whatley; brother, Danny and wife Tonya and family; sister, Cathy and spouse Bobby and family; brother, Mike and his daughter Jenny; many great-grandchildren; and numerous cherished relatives and friends.

Although her family's hearts ache in her absence, they find comfort in knowing she has been reunited with those she loved and missed so dearly – her oldest son, Keith; her beloved husband, Marcus; and her mother, affectionately known as Grandma Nanna. They rejoice in knowing Penny is home, resting peacefully in the arms of the Lord and surrounded by those who went before her.

Mom, Grandma, Great-Grandma, Sister, Aunt, and Daughter – thank you for your sacrifices, wisdom, prayers, laughter, and endless love. Your family will carry your love in their hearts forever and honor your memory by living the values you taught them each day.

A gathering of family and friends will be held at Washington Park in Anacortes. A formal graveside service will be announced at a later date.