Penny Krams George

It’s 4:22 a.m. The world still turns, as if it can survive without you, and I cannot. I write. Stop. Return. Repeat, clinging to the hope that this is a cruel dream. But the truth grows louder with every word: you are gone, and nothing will ever be the same. Rarely are people loved so profoundly. You were. I knew it. I felt it. I carry you with me, always. My sweet Ganna, Penny K. George, peacefully slipped away on August 13th, 2025. Though she was 85, she carried the energy, wit, and mischief of someone far younger, leaving a mark on everyone she met. She wasn’t merely my grandmother; she was my dearest friend. She was born on June 27th, 1940, in Ridgely, Maryland, but spent her formative years in Marshallton and Wilmington, Delaware. Ganna graduated from P.S. Dupont High School in 1958, where she was crowned football queen and shone in both drama and choir. She served as Secretary and Treasurer of her class and took on leadership roles at church, including president of the Methodist Youth Fellowship and Secretary of the Peninsula Conference Youth Council. Beautiful, bubbly, kind, and always smiling, she carried that same radiant spirit, warmth, and boundless enthusiasm into everything she did. In November of 1958, my Ganna married the love of her life, my grandpa, John “Johnny” Elliott George Jr. They shared nearly 50 years together, building a life filled with love, family, and treasured memories until his passing in July 2007. They welcomed two daughters, my mom, Tamara Kay, in 1959, followed by Kathi Lynn in 1960. My Ganna guided them through life’s moments with unwavering care. Together, my grandparents ran J&P Hunting Lodge and Sporting Clays, approaching every endeavor with dedication and heart. My Ganna’s devotion to her family and the life she built with my grandpa left a lasting mark on everyone who knew her. My Ganna is survived by her devoted daughter, my mom, Tamara George Smith, and her husband, my father, David, of Sudlersville, Maryland; her daughter, Kathi Lynn Schmidt, and her husband, Jeff, of Smyrna, Delaware; her brother, Berkeley T. Krams, and his wife, Nellie, of Wilmington, Delaware; as well as three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her mother, Agnes Tiller Ford; her “daddy,” Harry Kirby Krams; and by her cherished husband and greatest love, John “Johnny” Elliott George Jr. Ganna loved shopping trips, and my mom and I were always right by her side, like the Three Musketeers, or sometimes the Three Stooges, depending on the day. She had a deep love for Chinese food and dining out in general, always savoring every bite. In her younger years, travel brought her adventure, yet in later years she found just as much joy at home, especially when rearranging and moving furniture. We always joked, “Who needs Two Men and a Truck when you have Penny George?” Her love of moving furniture was so legendary that I assigned “I Like to Move It” from Madagascar as her personal anthem. She was like the Energizer Bunny, always on the move, endlessly spirited, and never slowing down. I’m almost certain her ornery self is up there, as I’m typing this, rearranging the clouds and stars, making the universe feel a little more like home, until the day we are together once more. She was also a wonderful cook, delighting in preparing meals for friends and family alike. Her crabcakes were always highly praised. For the Blue Crab Classic, J&P’s iconic annual Sporting Clays tournament, she would crank out hundreds, each one golden and perfectly seasoned. Leftovers? A myth. Those crabcakes disappeared faster than I could blink, leaving only the delicious memory of what once was. My Ganna loved reading, it was her favorite hobby. She also had a soft spot for dot-to-dot puzzles. She religiously watched The Young and the Restless and General Hospital, and let me tell you, you never, ever got between her and her “programs.” Crossing that line was a rookie mistake. Gan’s life was filled with laughter, love, and just enough strong opinions to keep things interesting. Snakes? Absolutely not. Thunderstorms? No, thank you. The word “veggies” made her cringe. The Wizard of Oz was a hard pass, and as for Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gormé, she declared they were best enjoyed with the volume turned all the way down. At this point, I could go on forever, but my Ganna’s true heart always belonged to her beloved animals. Dogs, cats, birds, fish, she loved them all, and they worshipped her in return. Each one held a piece of her love, fierce and unwavering, and she gave it back tenfold. Those she left behind on earth still search for her, but I take comfort knowing she’s finally reunited with her beloved pug, Izzy Bee. One of your last texts to me thanked me for loving you. But the truth is, loving you was never a task. It was the greatest privilege of my life, one I will hold close to my heart for all eternity. Thirty-one years by your side were a gift, though never enough. Fifty years could not have sufficed. Nor one hundred, or even five hundred. No span of time could ever contain all the love I had for you, or all the joy your sweet soul brought me. So until we meet again, my love for you stretches from the moon and beyond the stars. I will forever be your Meggie, and I will always love you more. And at last… I finally got the last word in. Goodnight, my sweet GG Bear, save me a seat in the stars, right next to you. Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to Compass Regional Hospice in memory of Penny George, your support will help continue the compassionate care they provide. To donate, please visit: https://compassregionalhospice.org/giving/ways-to-give.html

Penny Krams George

June 27, 1940 - August 13, 2025