Penny Zinsenheim

SHIVA:Shiva will be held Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday with a Minyan at 7:00 pm. at the home of Penny and Steve Zinsenheim, 1946 Regents Way, Marietta, GA 30062.  

FUNERAL SERVICE: A graveside service will be held Tuesday, July 1, 2025 at 10:00 am at Arlington Memorial Park. 

OBITUARY

Penny Rena (Ragan) Zinsenhein

Penny Rena (Ragan) Zinsenheim passed quietly on the morning of June 29th, surrounded at home by family with much love. She bravely battled liver cancer, which she handled with a beautiful grace, dignity, and strength. While life was not always kind to her, she returned nothing but kindness. And it is that love which we will miss the most.

Penny was born at Kennestone Hospital in Marietta, GA on January 22nd, 1963. She was the second child and daughter of William Leon Ragan of Henderson, GA and Patricia Faith Ragan of Perry, GA. At age nine, her parents moved Penny and her two siblings, Jackie and Bil, to a farm in Perry, GA to be closer to family.

Being closer to relatives allowed her to see her grandparents and cousins more often. And the rural life gave her ample freedom to go and explore the world around her. She was a natural athlete and did well in middle school on the tennis, basketball, and track teams.

When Penny turned 15, a new addition came to the family. It was her younger sister Jamie, whom she adored. The two spent a lot of quality time together as Jamie grew up and remained close. Penny’s proudest accomplishment in high school was when she earned a $500 scholarship for sewing a quilt in a Home Economics competition. Penny attended Georgia Southern University where she graduated in 1986 with a Batchelor’s Degree in Business Administration.

Upon graduation, Penny moved in with her sister Jackie, and brother Bil to north Atlanta. She would begin working for PNC Bank and would quickly be promoted to the Mortgage Department. She excelled in her role and in 1993 earned an award for the President’s Club at PNC Bank. In the fall of 1986, she met Steve at Club Rio in downtown Atlanta. They were initially attracted to each other and the very next night had their first official date at a Georgia Tech football game, and the rest was history. They became engaged in 1987 and later married in 1988 at Sherith Israel Synagogue in Atlanta, GA. Penny and Steve enjoyed many years of traveling the globe in their early days.

As a newly married couple, they settled into their home in Smyrna, GA, and began to make a new life for themselves. Their daughter Madison was born in May 1992 to some relieved parents and ecstatic grandparents, great grandparents and new aunts and uncles.

Soon after Madison was born, Penny would give birth to their son, Davis, in November 1993. As with all mothers, her two children would become the pride of her life. All of her energy, efforts and love were given to them. Penny and Steve prided themselves on creating a loving Jewish home for their kids. If you asked her what she was most proud of, the answer came quickly, and without hesitation, ‘My children.’ They continued their adventures together traveling as a family, creating many memories, visiting new destinations from Israel, to Iceland, Italy, Sydney and the rest of the world.

Penny decided to return to school and obtain several teaching certificates, which began in 1995 from Kennesaw State University. She then went on to obtain a Master’s degree in Education from the University of West Georgia in 2002 and a Media Specialist in Education degree in 2009. Penny loved teaching and went on to open the Media Center at Lake Forest Elementary School where she completed her career, while battling her disease, finally retiring after 29 years.

In May 2016, tragedy struck. While attempting to save the life of his friend, their son, Davis perished in a hiking accident. He was unselfish, just as he had been taught by his mother. His actions were recognized by the Carnegie Foundation, and he was named a ‘Carnegie Hero’ in December 2017.The early loss of Davis was devastating to the family, the relatives, and to all that knew him. It was especially heart rendering to his mother.

In 2021 Penny’s mother, Faith, would return to Marietta and move in with her and Steve. This brought a new energy in the home and a new focus in life. Madison also became engaged during this time and gave Penny a future to plan. Lane became Penny’s son-in-law in August 2022.

Penny was always an amazing host, and all were welcome in her home. Her Thanksgiving feasts were legendary, as were her Georgia Tech tailgating parties, and her Lake Hartwell hospitality. To Penny, everyone was family, and she will always be remembered by her inclusiveness, generosity and love for all.

Penny was preceded in death by her grandparents, parents, son, Davis, and brother-in-law, Wayne Landon. She is survived by her husband, Steve, her daughter, Madison Darwin (Lane), her sister Jackie White (Maury), brother Bil

Ragan (Anjum), sister Jamie Boyd, sister-in-law Shari Landon, stepfather James Boyd, nieces Samantha White, Ella and Pearl Boyd, Mallory Landon, nephews Hank White, James Boyd, and Michael Landon, and other extended family in Georgia.

In lieu of flowers, Penny's family asks that if you want to donate that you plant a tree in Israel. Click Here to purcahse a tree