Obituary of Penny Ann Mildred Harnish

Penny-Ann Mildred Harnish, 48, Linacy, passed away unexpectedly, Friday, July 25, 2025, in the Halifax Infirmary, QEII, Halifax.

Born in Halifax, she was a daughter of the late Clark and Mildred (Chown) Harnish, and the step-daughter of Rocky Staples whom she considered Dad. 

Penny faced a lot of hardships in her life, loosing both her parents at a young age, but nothing brought her as much joy as her two daughters, Mildred and Sarah Margeson.

As a youth, Penny was a proud member of Army Cadets, spent time berry picking for Colchester Exhibition spending money and swimming in Little Dyke. Later in life, Penny became the Poultry Leader at Sutherlands River 4-H Club, a duty she thoroughly enjoyed along with other volunteer work. Her shortbread cookies and chili were always a favourite! At home, she was a chicken-mom to 19 feather babies.

A hard worker, Penny has always sought out employment, from working at the Radiator plant in Debert, to cleaning offices with her mom, to her enjoyable time at KFC Truro and Convergys.

Her dream was always to have an office job, so in 2014 she began employment with Sobeys for the Safeway project. She left Sobeys in 2015 to further her education and enrolled in Business Administration with concentration in Accounting at NSCC, upon competition, she returned to Sobeys Head Office to work in the Data Integrity department. She absolutely loved her time at Sobeys and was very close with her co-workers and considered them dear friends.

After meeting Jason, Penny became very close to his mother Sandra. They were  inseparable and fast became regular traveling companions.  Penny was generous to a fault, and would bring Sandra coffee and Timbits daily until she passed at Glen Haven Manor.

In 2023, her daughter Sarah, required extensive spinal surgery. A dedicated mom, she never left Sarah’s side during recovery.  Showing before and after X-rays was a major point of pride for Penny, much to Sarah’s embarrassment.

Surviving are her husband, Jason Margeson; daughters, Millie Margeson and Sarah Lynn Margeson, at home; step-father, Rocky Staples, Truro; step-sister, Naiomi Staples, Truro; father-in-law, The Honourable Theodore “Ted” Margeson (Ret’d) (Anne Spencer), Melmerby; brother-in-law, Andrew (Nadine) Margeson, Corner Brook, N.L.;  many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her mother-in-law, Sandra Margeson.

The family will receive visitors 6-8 p.m. Friday, August 1 in P. & K. MacDonald Funeral Home, New Glasgow.

A private celebration of life will be held.

Donations may be made in Penny’s memory to 4-H Canada or IWK Foundation.

We will always love and cherish you, Penny.

Forever in our hearts.  Rocky, Millie, Sarah and Jason.

Lovingly submitted by family.