Passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, June 14, 2025.
Penny was born February 20, 1943 in Chicago, IL, the daughter of the late Theodore and Jeanne (Goldstein) Hoffman.
On January 11, 1964, she married Alan D. Engelsman, and they had two children, Julie and Jeffrey Engelsman. Alan preceded her in death in 2003. On October 10, 2007, Penny married James R. Murrey, who survives of the home.
Penny graduated from Washington University in August 1963 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English Literature, with a Life-time Certificate in Secondary Education. She earned a Master of Arts Degree in Special Education and Reading from Saint Louis University in 1971, with a Life-time Certificate as a Remedial Reading Clinician. She continued graduate school over the years in order to fulfill the requirements for Professor at Saint Louis Community College.
Throughout her 35-year teaching career, Penny worked for the Washington University Economics Department; the Harvard Economics Department; as a permanent substitute for the Cambridge, MA Public School System; and for over 25 years at SLCC – Forest Park.
Penny authored several workbooks and textbooks for middle and upper grades, and with her husband Alan, she co-authored several theatre and playwriting textbooks and kits for the classroom. Together, they created Alpen and Jeffries Publishers. She was listed in the 1977 edition of Outstanding Young Women of America, and she was an Auxiliary member of American Legion Post 208 in Manchester, MO.
In later years, Penny and Jimmy enjoyed traveling throughout the United States. They loved spending time together as a couple, and also with family and friends for celebrations, holidays, and just for fun. Those happy times became even more precious, as dementia began to take Penny away from us. We are truly thankful for all of the wonderful caregivers who cared for Penny over the last year.
Survivors include her loving husband James Murrey, her son Jeffrey Engelsman, and her granddaughters Eliza Engelsman (Jacob Hogan) and Maddy Engelsman. She was our dear stepmother, sister-in-law, aunt, great-aunt, cousin, and friend.
Penny was preceded in death by her first husband Alan Engelsman, her daughter Julie Engelsman, her parents Ted and Jeanne Hoffman, and her sister Susan (Hoffman) Enari.
SERVICES: Visitation on Monday, June 23, 2025, from 4-8 p.m. at Kutis Affton Chapel (10151 Gravois Road Affton, Missouri 63123). Memorial Service on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at Kutis Affton Chapel (10151 Gravois Road Affton, Missouri 63123). Burial at Mount Hope Cemetery (1515 Lemay Ferry Road St. Louis, Missouri 63125).
So sorry for your loss Jimmy. You and your wife Penny were such a beautiful couple together. You truly loved your wife and stood by her side to the end. Rest in peace Penny. Condolences to you Jimmy and family and your friends. Thanks 🙏🏾 for allowing me to take care of your wife.
Prayers.