Gloria Pennington

It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Gloria Anne Pennington (Artinian), a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. Surrounded by family, Gloria, 77, died peacefully at her home in Orlando on Sept. 23 after a lengthy illness.
She is survived by her husband, Thomas Heany, of Orlando, her children Carter Pennington (wife Angela) of Wappinger Falls, N.Y., Juliet Pennington (husband James Matte) of North Attleboro, Mass., and Adam Pennington (wife Rachel) of Irvington, N.Y., grandchildren Julian, Amanda, Nicole, Kimberly, Tyler, Carolyn, Michelle, and Thomas. She is also survived by her sister, Marguerite Jackson (husband Jim), her first husband, Bruce Pennington, many nieces, nephews, and close friends. She was predeceased by her parents and sister, Grace.
Born in Cleveland, Ohio, to Alice and Adam Artinian, Gloria moved to California as a child and lived there until she relocated with her husband and children to Hastings-on-Hudson, NY, in the early 1960s. She later moved to Lenox, Mass., and then to Florida.
Gloria achieved much professional success, starting a high-end makeup company in the 1970s, heading the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (from 1976 to 1984), serving as executive director of the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation (from 1984 to 1992), and holding the title of president and CEO of The National Music Foundation (from 1992 to 2007), founded by music mogul Dick Clark. Most recently, after being diagnosed with Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis, Gloria founded the Global Fibrosis Foundation in 2008 and served as its president until 2013.
Strikingly beautiful with a zest for life - including a penchant for uncontrollable laughter at what were occasionally inappropriate times - Gloria loved music (Broadway show tunes were her favorites), Martha's Vineyard, reading, cooking, and her family (especially her grandchildren who, in her eyes, could do no wrong). She had many gifts, not the least of which was making everyone in her life feel special.
Memorial services were held Oct. 2 at Soorp Haroutiun Armenian Church in Orlando, and Oct. 3 at St. Gregory the Enlightener Armenian Church in White Plains, followed by a reception at Half Moon in Dobbs Ferry.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Global Fibrosis Foundation's Gloria Pennington Research Award (www.globalfibrosis.org) or by mail: Global Fibrosis Foundation c/o Carol Hribko, Yale Dermatopathology Service, 15 York St. LMP 5031, New Haven, Conn. 06520-8059.

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