Donation protected
Emily Ann Penny, 28, died on September 22, 2021, after a short and bravely fought battle with Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis caused by a rare lymphoproliferative disease.
Emily was born on February 4, 1993, in Reno, Nevada to Peter and Teresa Ross. From the start of her journey, she was a fighter. Nobody could tell her what she could or couldn't do. The odds against her survival at birth, due to congenital heart disease, forever defined the way that she saw the world.
She recently celebrated five years of marriage in May to the love of her life, Nathan Penny. They are high school sweethearts and have been together since April 29, 2011. She was the youngest sibling of Sarah Williams, Jason Ross, James Ross, and Cheyenne Coker, and their spouses Evan Williams, Tara Ross, Justine Ross, and Cole Coker. Emily was an amazing Aunt to Eleanor, Isaac, Griffin, Noel, and Neal. Emily left an everlasting mark on everyone that she met, also leaving behind a large extended family and many dear friends.
It’s rare to find someone who could be so unapologetically themselves. Her will was unfaltering, her strength unmatched, and she loved fiercely and unconditionally. Emily taught us about finding joy, fighting bravely when facing impossible odds, and sacrifice as an act of love.
A word that immediately comes to mind when thinking of Emily is "Full." Emily lived life to the fullest, with passion, and always jumped into things with both feet. She loved to read, travel, and spend time with loved ones and her dogs, Thor and Scarlet. Nathan and Emily bought their first house in 2020 and enjoyed working on it together, making it their home. Emily worked as a head dental assistant and office manager.
We've been told that grief is the final act of love, and we know that this grief will endure until the day that we join her. We feel the sadness that our loss brings, but more importantly, we feel the joy she gave us as it manifests in the world around us. She smiled even in her hardest moments and that gives us the strength to continue on.
She earnestly hoped that her physicians would learn from treating her, "so that someone else would not have to go through this." We will love her forever and ever. She will never be forgotten.
For more information on HLH (Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis), PTLD caused by Latent EBV (Ebstein Barr Virus), and idiopathic CD4 lymphocytopenia, see:
Funds raised will be used for Emily’s Celebration of Life Service, to support Nate’s living costs during this period of unexpected grieving, and to provide donations to charities Emily supported, including the American Heart Association.
Memorial information to follow.
Memorial information to follow.
Organiser and beneficiary
Sarah Williams
Organiser
Reno, NV
Nathan Penny
Beneficiary