Donna Pennisi Norris
December 20, 1946 ~ December 5, 2023
Donna Pennisi Norris, 76, of Compton, died peacefully December 5, 2023 in Leonardtown, MD.
Born December 20, 1946, in Troy, New York, she was the daughter of the late Charles C. “Pennie” Pennisi and Priscilla A. “Boots” Davis Pennisi.
She is survived by her husband John E. “Jackie” Norris, whom she married August 9, 1964 in Leonardtown, MD. She is also survived by her daughter, Cindy Carroll, and husband Duane of Leonardtown, MD. Son, Gary Norris, wife Tina, of Clements, MD. Her siblings Charles A. “Andy” Pennisi of Leonardtown, MD, Catherine Ann Damoth Bohanan of Rockledge, FL and her precious grandchildren, Nick and Ben Carroll.
Donna graduated from St. Mary’s Academy in 1964. She worked at the St. Mary’s Sheriff’s Office until she and her husband took over Pennies Bar from her parents in 1973. It was there, in running the bar alongside Jackie for several decades that she developed many lasting friendships and bonds with so many residents of St. Mary’s County. She and Jackie continued to run the family business until retirement in December 2005.
Her life revolved around her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed spending time with them at all of the family gatherings. She also enjoyed watching sports, especially the ones that Gary, Nick and Ben played. You could also find her enjoying the monthly luncheons with the “Pennies” girls, where they would catch up on the many memories they shared.
The family will receive friends on December 14, 2023 from 10:00 AM to12:30PM at the Mattingly Gardner Funeral Home in Leonardtown. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Aloysius Church in Leonardtown, December 14, 2023 at 1:00 PM by Father David Beaubien officiating. Interment will follow at Charles Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Leonardtown, MD. Pallbearers will be Ben Carroll, Nick Carroll, Tony Norris, John Pennisi, Donald Quade, and Brett Williar.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary’s Nursing Center, 21585 Peabody Street, Leonardtown, MD 20650; or Hospice of St. Mary’s, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650.
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Jackie, Cindy , Gary and Family Iam so sorry for your loss. Donna was such a sweet heart I sure miss seeing her in the grocery store . My heart is broken ! But I know she is finally resting in piece! Sending big hugs to all!
Jackie, Andy and Family. Im so sorry for your loss.,
Our condolences to the family. Thanks for the memories!
Jackie, Cindy, Gary & Andy; I am heart broken to learn this news. Donna was a wonderful woman and like a 2nd mother to many of us who grew up at Pennies. I’m so sorry for your loss and will keep everyone in my thoughts & prayers.
Our condolences to you all, I have many fond memories of her and the family, I am blessed to have known her.
I was saddened to hear of the passing of your mother, Cindy & Gary! I know this is a difficult time for all of you. All my best to you and your family. xo, Georgia
We are so heartbroken to hear this news. Donna played such a big role in both of our lives in our younger years. She was simply the best and always brought a smile to my face whenever we crossed paths. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of her loving family.
My deepest condolences 💐 to the family. My mom and Donna would often talk when they saw each other around St. Mary’s. Donna was a wonderful lady and contributed to many of us first bar experiences! Thank you for the memories!
Jackie, Cindy, Gary, and Andy
My sincere, heartfelt condolences to you all. Donna was a very special person and I’m so glad to have known her. Heaven must’ve needed another angel. She surely will be missed.
Jackie, Cindi, Gary, and Andy. My deepest condolences on the passing of one beautiful lady. I am so blessed to have had such wonderful memories from some fun times when we all got together back in the day at Pennies! I know so many of her family and friends were there to welcome her in Heaven. Our prayers to all.
Jackie Gary and family my condolences for the loss of Donna. she was a wonderful lady that was loved by everyone she met. from all my times at Pennies and my wife’s years playing softball she always made us feel like family. May she rest in peace.
Sending our sincere condolences on the loss of Donna. Such a sweet lady and many fond memories from Pennies.
George & Hattie
I am just heartbroken to hear of Donna’s passing. I know you’ll miss her but we will always remember her and smile. Stay strong for each other and lean on each other when you need to. You can call any of your friends for strength, including me. Hugs to all.
Jackie, Cindy, Gary and Andy….words cannot express how sad we were to hear of Donna’s passing. She was the sweetest woman I have ever known and I am so happy to have known her. I will always remember her sweet smile. Rest in peace Donna🙏🏻🙏🏻
My sincere, heartfelt condolences to you all. Donna was a very special person and I’m so glad to have known her.
Jackie,Cindy, Gary & Andy,
I was so saddened to hear Mrs.Donna has passed that’s what I always callled her since the day my Father introduced me to her. Prayers to the family during this difficult time.
Jackie,Andy,Cindy and Gary I am so sorry to here of Donna’s passing I have so many fond memories of her and of the times I spent a Pennies bar and ball field she will be missed by all the people’s who’s lives she touched I will always keep in my heart and prayers Frankie Merson.
We have so many fond memories of Donna. She and I spent many late nights sitting in our cars talking while the boys finished up solving the world’s problems in the Tiki Bar at Pennies. She alway had a smile on her face and she gave the best hugs.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. May the happy memories carry you through.
We will always smile when we think of her.
We have so many fond memories of Donna. She and I spent many late nights sitting in our cars talking while the boys finished up solving the world’s problems in the Tiki Bar at Pennies. She alway had a smile on her face and she gave the best hugs.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. May the happy memories carry you through.
We will always smile when we think of her.
Jackie & family. I’m so sorry to hear of this news. Donna was a wonderful lady, Many fond memories from Pennies & softball. Hugs & prayers for all the family. May she Rest In Peace.
Jackie, Andy & family, so so sorry to hear of Donna’s passing. She was a wonderful person and friend. I have so many wonderful memories of her. Sending prayers and hugs your way.
My heart breaks to hear this news. Miss. Donna was one of a kind, a legend. I don’t think she ever met a stranger. No matter who you were, she welcomed you with her smile. I am truly blessed to have had the opportunity to have known her. Jackie, Gary and Tina I am truly sorry for your loss. Much Love, Julie Foreman.
Donna was a true life-long friend since second grade when I got to go home from school with her and she introduced me to A1 steak sauce and taught me how to wash dishes properly in that small kitchen of the original Tavern. We went through school together, graduated and decided to live in the city for just a little more schooling. We did it but we beat feet home as fast as we could on Friday evenings to get to the Tavern to our world of music and dance. Our world was really here at home. She will always have a special place in the memories of my childhood and growing up years. Not everyone gets a Donna. Our girlfriend lunches of today will not be quite the same without her. Jackie and family – you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Jackie – So sorry that we will not be able to attend services for Donna. Wink and I are leaving Thursday morning to head south for our grandson, Zach’s college graduation. I had hoped to come down early Thursday morning before we leave but not sure that will work but know that we are thinking of you and the kids. Pris
Dear sweet Donna, you never complained about being sick. Kept everything a secret.
We became really good friends and I’m glad even though you tried to run me over with your Dad’s Cadillac.
I’ll miss you, your smiles and hugs.
You’ll have plenty of company in heaven.
You were and now an angel to watch over your family and friends. Love you.
Dear Jackie, Gary, Cindy and Andy,
In the last few years going to the Pennies girls luncheons. Donna always drove. When we would get to the luncheon she would start teasing me for every one to hear, how I never let her get a word in, while riding in the car. Those of us who loved her, had to learn to share her, she had so many friends. She and I had many fun times together. Donna had a kind heart and she knew how to keep a secret. I will miss her terribly.
Jackie and family, I am so sorry for Donna’s passing, she was one of the sweetest
ladies that I remember well.
Also remembering the wonderful years we were all crazy and full of fun at Pennies. Im pretty sure she and Claire are talking about all of us left behind with fond memories as well.
Jackie, Gary, Cindy and Andy
Our most sincere condolence on the loss of Donna. What a character she was and so funny. Donna will surely be missed by so many. May she rest in peace and may God be with all of you during this very sad time. Keep all those wonderful memories alive with stories of Donna, I am sure you won’t run out of them .God bless you all.
Wayne and Joan
Jackie, Gary , Cindy and Andy
So sorry I forgot to say, we will not be able to attend Donna’s funeral. We are going on a bus trip to Pa. on Thursday. So very sorry to miss it. Love to all.
Joan and Wayne
Donna & i went to FAW school together -I went home with her many times after school -Went to Pennies every Friday night to the dances –In later years my Brother Francis lived behind Donna & Jackie until he past last yr. She was so loved by everybody and a great friend of mine ,–To the Family, I’m so sorry for your loss ; My she RIP
Jackie,Cindy,Gary and family – My condolences to the loss of such a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. I always remember Donna at Pennies when dad played ball. We got to roam around to swing, play in the field, buy junk at the concession stand and run in and out of the bar to visit. She was always so nice, even though she knew I was one of those bad girls from St. Clements Shores. If I ever was at an event where her grandsons where playing, she was there. Treasure all the wonderful memories! God sure did gain a good one!
Jackie, Cindy, Gary & all the Norris family. My deepest sympathies to you all on the passing of your sweet Wife/Mother. Ms. Donna has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Your Mom stopped at my Mom’s house often to drop off her slacks as my Mom was a master seamstress & hemmed all her slacks. A true friendship between our Mothers. Through the years, your Mom still stopped by & ‘visited’ a minute. Many conversations have been had between our Mothers! I will miss her rolling by & waving & tooting the horn every time she saw me. My treasured memories playing ball & enjoying the many great times we had at Pennies will remain with me forever. Ms. Donna was a beautiful lady full of kindness & love & kept us in line when we needed it too! Thank you for sharing your beautiful Mother with so many of us through the years. Love to all.
Jackie, I am so sorry to hear about Donna, I love you both, she was a dear sweet woman. Hopefully I will get to see you soon to tell stories and pass adventures we all had. I am here if you need me. Take care Buddy. Allie
Jackie and family, we are so sad about your loss, Donna was a wonderful person and a dear friend. So many great memories of playing music at Pennies, as well as watching other bands there too, over the years. We know she is at peace with our Lord Jesus. You are all in our prayers.
Rest in peace dear Donna.
Life wont be as much fun without you in it. Took out our academy year books and reminisced our high school days. You, me, phyllis, prissy and the nuns. And, of course, jackie and greg. Will remember you with love in my heart always and your smile
Life wont be as much fun without you in it. Took out our academy year books and reminisced our high school days. You, me, phyllis, prissy and the nuns. And, of course, jackie and greg. Will remember you with love in my heart always and your smile
I’ll miss that Smile and that Sweet Little Giggle !