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Barbara Lee Penrod, who for years ran the swimming pool at Cutler Ridge Park before it was transferred to the Town of Cutler Bay and who helped with the transition, passed away on Friday, Jan. 28.
She had been at Cutler Ridge Park for more than 35 years and had impacted the lives of many in the community.
Her family is not having any services or a viewing, but Victor Jenkins, manager of Goulds Park, is working with Cutler Ridge Park to have a memorial service for Ms. Penrod, perhaps a “family day” at the park. Her celebration of life has been scheduled for Feb. 26 at Cutler Ridge Park from 2 to 6 p.m.
Marilyn Conner Horne, whose daughter Michelle is the aquatics coordinator at Cutler Ridge Park, remembers the woman known as “Ms. Pen” fondly.
“Ms. Pen was the heart and soul of Cutler Ridge,” Horne said. “Anyone who raised children here and attended the park knew of her generosity and devotion to not only the kids but the parents and community as well. I always enjoyed our visits and seeing her distinct car with those American flags flying in the neighborhood. It is an unspeakable loss. She is a legend here and was the kindest soul that ever walked the earth.”
Ursula Cowan, another resident, posted on social media, “I am lost for words…we lost a great family member. She was so amazing. She always took care of everyone around her. She worked with the community of Miami. She loved working for the parks department for children. She will be missed.”
When Penrod retired, they put in a bench at the park to honor her, and it is turning into a makeshift memorial, with flowers placed there over the weekend following her passing.
Arlene Nicholson, a close friend of Penrod for many years who worked with her on projects, also had praise for her.
“She started in 1968 at Perrine Park, a county park in Palmetto Bay, that was when I first met her,” Nicholson said. “She moved up the ranks and eventually became manager of Cutler Ridge Park and then when they incorporated she ended up at Southridge Park. She used to put on the biggest Halloween party there. She was an organizer. Her main goal was to make sure each child was not neglected…that they got the best that they could get. The people who were under her were taught to do the same thing.”
“She was a caring and loving individual,” Nicholson said.
