Kathleen "Kitti" Raye Swinney Pennell
December 18, 1959 ~ November 28, 2013
Kathleen “Kitti” Raye Swinney Pennell, 53, Virginia Beach, Virginia, formerly of Mooresville, died tragically November 28, 2013, while working in Afghanistan, as a result of a terrorist rocket attack. Kitti was born December 18, 1959, in Indianapolis, to the late R. Lowell Swinney and Joyce (Shelley) Swinney, who survives in Mooresville.
Kitti grew up in Mooresville, graduating from Mooresville High School in 1978. She was a tennis player and honor student in school. She graduated from Purdue University in 1982, where she was a member of Phi Mu Sorority. She had been employed as a Flight Operations Coordinator for AAR since June 2009. Prior to, she was a flight dispatcher for FedEx in Indianapolis form 2000 – May 2009. Kitti loved learning and was a perpetual student. She was an accomplished quilter and spent many hours quilting during her flights. Kitti enjoyed racing and worked on an auto racing team in the ASA league with her late brother, Brian. Kitti will be missed by her loving family and many friends.
In addition to her father, Kitti was preceded in death by brothers, Brian L., Jonathan, and Andrew Swinney.
Survivors include her husband of nine years, Joseph Pennell; mother, Joyce (Shelley) Swinney of Mooresville; son, Wilson Clay Pennell; sisters, Lari Clayton of Mooresville, Indiana, Beki M. Poe (Ted) of Indianapolis, and Nan Alison Hebenstreit (James) of Indianapolis; a large and loving extended family, including eleven nieces and nephews.
Friends and family will gather on Thursday, December 5, 2013, 4 to 8 p.m., in the Carlisle – Branson Funeral Service & Crematory, Mooresville. The funeral service will begin at 10 a.m., Friday, December 6, 2013, in the First Christian Church, 525 North Indiana Street, Mooresville. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Quilt of Valor, Wounded Warriors, to the Phi Mu Scholarship Fund, or to a local animal shelter. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Burial will be in West Newton Cemetery. Visit www.carlislebranson.com to share a favorite memory or to sign the online guest registry.
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I had the pleasure of working with Kitti at Presidential/AAR. She was always so nice & willing to help in any way she could. She will be truly missed. Our thoughts & Prayers are with her family. Another angel to watch over us!
‘Every time I came through Bagram Kitti was always smiling and happy! The first time I was there passing through she made sure I had linens for the bed and towels and told me where the showers were. I felt lost and she completely took care of me. I had the pleasure of going out on rotation with her a couple trips back and we spent the time at the Irish Pub telling stories! We lost a very sweet lady and Kitti will be greatly missed!’
Kitti’s smile – contagious Her sense of humor – enjoyed Her love of family – respected and appreciated God’s love – all comforting Kitti – a loving cousin, who will be dearly missed! ~ Michele Martin
My heart goes out to you. I am sorry for your loss.
Kitti will be missed by many. God Bless and please except my prayers in your time of loss.
I was friends with Nan in school and remember Kitti well. What a tragic loss, my heart goes out to the family.
Kitti was a great classmate and was always so excited about the future. Kitti was a natural leader. She always believed we could all achieve great things. She will be missed by all of us from the class of 1978. To her family I am so sorry for your loss. Michael Raymond.
i just saw the obituary, i can’t beleive it!!!! joe if you see this please call us, i loved her and her family, beginning when we danced together as kids, all the racing we did together, the great times…i am so sorry i loved her! please contact rick and i
Journey My journey is not your journey and your journey is not mine Your journey may only carry sorrow, never knowing peace nor joy My journey may know nothing else Your journey may last a hundred years, mine only a few months Or, it could be that one or the other or both, may end before it ever begins Each will achieve its destiny What thoughts are gathered in between, that hope may bloom where none is seen That two paths separate and unlike, would join together in His light To give what’s needed for the other Love that is, unto thy brother May God Bless
Although I didn’t know Kitti well, her death has touched me deeply. We were classmates, and I last talked to her at a class reunion 20 years ago. As I read about her selflessness in her care of others, her love for family and friends, and the words of love and grief from the many who loved her, I hope her loved ones find comfort in the knowledge that Kitti has touched so many lives in such an amazing and positive way. I will always remember Kitti as a sweet woman who always had a smile and a kind word for others. In this sometimes ugly world, it makes me sad that we have lost such a beautiful spirit. I’m so sorry.
Kitti was a dear friend that showed her sweet spirit each day. I greatly enjoyed our friendship growing up in Mooresville and during our college days at Purdue University.
I REMEMBER KITTI FROM SCHOOL AND WHEN SHE WORKED AT FEDEX SHE WAS BEAUTIFUL BOTH INSIDE AND OUT BRENDA FISHER
Kitti really helped me out when I first got in country and was always there when I needed advice. I will miss talking with her and seeing her smile! RC Martin
Kitti had a heart of gold. Her warm smile was always a comfort to me on down days. Infact, I’m not sure Kitti ever had down days; she always seemed to see the best in everything. Kitti was a kind soul and had a personality that will not be forgotten. -Jill Leas
I flew into work with Kitti on this rotation. My last memory of her was seeing her sit down next to a total stranger who was in a dour mood as many of us are on the final leg into Bagram. Within minutes he was cheerfully involved in a long conversation with her about a multitude of things. She had that effect on people. Meticulous and patient in her work and never running out of gas with never a bad word to say about anybody. She was a positive force in life and will be missed dearly.
The world has lost one of the most caring, loving, and honest women I have ever had the good fortune to know. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends.
Kitti was a kind, caring and considerate person who always had a smile on her face. She always tried to be kind to everyone but she also knew when to put her foot down. One of my favorite memories of her was her telling me a story about some individuals she had to ban from flight and as I was sitting there one of them called and I got to hear her in the most polite manner to go away. She was amazing and she will be missed.
I worked with Kitti in Bagram. Nothing would ever get past her! She would go above and beyond in everything that she did and always made things work. She was great at getting you what you needed in a not so nice place. She will be missed and I am saddened by the loss of a really good person. David Vierling
I worked with Kitti in Afghanistan, she was wonderful person who truly cared for the flight crews and the troops they carried. Kitti would go to great lengths to ensure her crews were as safe in their missions as they could be. When passing through Bagram Kitti would ensure that my stay was as comfortable as possible. She was the first person I met in Afghanistan when coming aboard the Co and I will never forget her, God bless. Jeffrey Bingham
Kitti was the first FOC I worked with in Bagram. She was a great person and very ‘OCD’ but she was a fun person to work with. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Todd Glunt
Kitti and I worked together when we were in Moyock, and then again in Bagram when I transitioned overseas a couple of years ago. She was insanely meticulous especially with our paperwork, which being the type-A personality that I am, I very much appreciated being in like company as the ‘new guy’ in Bagram. Kitti always had a warm, welcoming smile that accomanied her contagious positive attitude. She will be forever missed and always live on in our memories. Please know that you all are in our prayers as we all mourn your loss. Very Respectfully, Eric McBride
I live in Va. Beach and saw your wife’s obit. I am a Phi Mu also, (while at Old Dominion. ) We are so sorry for your loss; she was the vibrant love of your life. I will send her obit into National Office in Atlanta and make them aware that we lost an amazing sister. What a nice touch to have her buried in pink!
I remember Kitti from school. Always a smile and kind words – She was such a nice person.
I remember attending Sunday School & Church with Kitti, plus having the honor, along with Pam (Taylor) Cather to be baptised the same Easter Sunday at the Christian Church after we all had attended Membership Class. Walking to the Church after school, enjoying the time together. Kitti, you will be missed, but never forgotten. Thank you for your service!
Go in Peace Kitti Kat !
Such a wonderful person!! Your PAW/Blackwater family will be praying for your family! A true HERO protecting our country!!! <3
I am so very sorry for your unmeasurable loss. My heart breaks for you, her dear family, and I will continue to think of you and offer prayers of strength, healing and comfort. My deepest sympathy…. Jane L Miller
My thoughts and prayers are with Joe and the family. Joe, your friends in Lenoir, NC that grew up with you are supporting you in prayer. My God surround you during this time.
In memory of Kathleen Swinney Pennell Sharon Kinder Springer , Medford Oregon
Our Deepest Sympathy during this time of loss for the entire family. Joe, your friends from Lenoir and from your youth are lifting you up during this time of sadness. May you feel God’s peace and comfort in the days to come.
I met Kitti when she married into the Pennell-West family that my son married into as well. I felt like I had known her all my life. She was warm, funny, outgoing, helpful wherever help was needed. My love and prayers to Joe, Wilson and the Wests as well as to Kitti’s Mom and sisters and other family members. Marietta Smith from Lenoir NC
Kitti & I became friends in grade school & I am so sorry to hear of her passing. I always enjoyed her sharing her love of sailing & her summer excursions with me. I will keep all of you in my prayers. May God give you a peace beyond all understanding as you face the days and years ahead of you.
Kitti’s middle name ‘Raye’ always reminded me of a ray of sunshine because she would light up a room with her smile, laugh and magnet personality. I pray for Kitti’s family/friends as our hearts our now broken. The rays of the sun will forever mean Kitti is lighting up our lives.
My heart goes out to you, Joyce, and your family. I am so sorry to hear of Kitti’s death. I would love to see you, but have probably made my last trip to Indiana the last time we got together. My love to you. Norma Miles, Lynnwood, WA.
I never met her but a few days before she passed she called me about a flight and somehow she ended by encouraging me to be positive, what a lovely soul, may the good Lord keep her family in perfect peace during this time. ‘Her memory lives on in AFG’
I had the honor of meeting Joe’s wife, who by far was one of the finiest women I have ever met. What a wonderful couple! I always knew when Kitty was home because Joe was either off from work spending every minute with his Kitty or if at work, he was walking around with a huge smile and on cloud nine. My heart and prayers go out to Joe and his family. The world has lost a hero and heaven has an angel. God Bless, Wanda Sturt
My sincerest condolence to Joe and Kitty’s family. I worked with Mrs Pennell for a period in Bagram and Moyock. I new her to be a dedicated professional, and highly intelligent lady who loved her work, but second to her family. I considered her a friend and am heart broken that such a wonderful person has been taken too early in life. Joe, I’m truely sorry this tragedy has happened and pray that you may find peace in knowing Kitty’s life mattered to a great number of people in Afghanistan. If it was getting an emergency leave guy home immediately or carrying bomb dogs when no one else seemed to care. That was Kitty, she was always the lady that got things done. She will forever be missed.
Words fail at a time like this. I have been and will continue to pray for you, Joe, and the rest of Kitty’s family during your time of deep pain. Amy H.
Will miss Kitti. She was a bright light in the otherwise gray and unfriendly country of Afghanistan. She hugged me and wished me Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas when I left 3 days before her passing. I will always remember her warm heart. Jim Searles
I had the pleasure of working with Kitti when she first started at Presidential Airways/AAR. Kitti was always a ray of sunshine. I can still hear her sweet voice in my head. Her family & friends are in my prayers.
I had the pleasure of working with Kitti at Presidential/AAR. She was a vibrant, positive person who cared deeply about others and always had a smile or words of encouragement when someone needed them. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends.