Penny K Parker

Penny K Parker (1945-2025)
With heavy hearts, we announce that Penny K Parker, age 80, passed away on October 1st, 2025 in St. Louis, Missouri surrounded by her loved ones.

Penny was born in Seattle, Washington and adopted at 5 days old by her parents, Ethel and Elton “Fred” Fredrickson, who adored their only child, Penny. Penny spent her childhood in Columbus, Ohio where her father was a Pharmacist and Manager of a Walgreens store. When she was 11, the family moved to Peoria, Illinois where she spent the rest of her formative years. Penny attended Richwoods High School before moving to St. Louis to study Nursing at Washington University.

It was during college at Washington University where Penny met the love of her life, James Michael “Mike” Parker. Excited to start their new lives together, Penny and Mike were married on December 17th, 1966 in Peoria, Illinois. Penny and Mike couldn’t wait to start a family of their own, and their children, Stephanie and Christopher, were born in 1968 and 1969, respectively. Mike began working at the Cheshire Inn & Lodge in 1970, and Penny and Mike bought a beautiful house in Clayton in 1972, where Penny continued to live until her passing. Penny and Mike purchased a lake house at the Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri in 1985 and created their own little vineyard, which they dubbed “Parkers’ Point Vineyard”. Many weekends were spent at the Lake, where Penny enjoyed bringing her children and later grandchildren to spend time.

Penny often stated that her favorite role was that of Grandma. Penny treasured her five grandchildren, and enjoyed attending all their sports games, dance recitals, and activities when they were young. In 2000, Penny and Mike purchased a time share through Marriott, and thus, a new family tradition was born. Every summer, Penny, Mike, their children, and grandchildren would go on a family beach vacation where many home videos were created and wonderful memories were made.

In her later years, Penny enjoyed traveling with her husband, Mike, and the two became quite the world travelers. Their travels brought them to over 20 countries. Through ancestry research, Penny discovered her biological family, and in later years was able to reconnect with many of them, who she continued to keep in touch with until her passing. Penny has always been an animal lover, and has had many furry friends over the years. Most recently, she became Dog Mom to Annie, whom she loved dearly, along with her grandpups, Pinky, Remy, Louie, and Winnie.

Penny enjoyed mystery novels, was an avid movie goer, and cherished her many photographs of her family and travels that she’d taken over the years. Penny will be remembered for her kind heart, quick wit, and adventurous spirit. She was always available to lend a hand, give advice, or bring us back down to reality, often with a Diet Pepsi in hand. We couldn’t have asked for a better mother, grandmother, and friend, and will miss her every day. Penny’s memory will live on in the hearts of those who loved her.

Penny is preceded in death by her parents, Ethel and Fred, and her husband, Mike. She is survived by her children, Stephanie (Kiva) and Christopher (Patti), her grandchildren, Jamie (Connor), Abby, Lexie (Garrett), Valentine (Molly), Bella, and great-grandchildren, Charlotte, Juniper, Theodore, and soon-to-be great grandson Callahan Parker (due in December), along with many dear friends.

A Celebration of Life service honoring both the lives of Penny and Mike will be held at the Ethical Society of St. Louis on Thursday, October 30th from 4:00-6:30pm, with a brief service beginning at 5:00pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to City of St. Louis Tornado Response Fund at https://stl.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=7600 .