Esmé Penny (née Roberts) passed away peacefully in Victoria, B.C. on January 3, 2026, at the age of 96 years. She was born in Durban, South Africa, on June 19, 1929, to Llewelyn Roberts and Gertrude van Oudtshoorn.

Esmé is predeceased by her 6 siblings, all of South Africa. Growing up, Esmé had a passion for tennis and participating in her church youth group where she met the love of her life, Cherer Penny and married him in 1950. Esmé worked as a secretary then trained as a midwife to support Cherer's calling to medical missionary work. Together, they spent two years in mostly primitive conditions in the Congo with three small toddlers in tow before health concerns brought them back to Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) in 1954.

In 1962, Esmé, Cherer and their five children, immigrated to Canada along with Cherer's parents (Stanley & Gladys Penny) and two of Cherer's siblings and their families (Joyce & Viv Maree and Stan & Eyleen Penny). Cherer and Esmé first lived in Hay River, NWT, then Edmonton, Alberta and finally settled in Victoria, B.C. in 1978. Esmé's greatest enjoyment was working for a number of years as Coordinator of Children's Specialty Clinics at University of Alberta Hospital.

Esmé's interests included tennis, cooking, entertaining, singing, sewing, debating, gardening and time in Bible study. She and Cherer became very involved in the broader Christian community in Victoria and around the world. Esmé had a deep and abiding faith in Jesus and we rejoice now in her heavenly homecoming.

Esmé leaves behind her husband of 75 years, Cherer, and all five of her children: Norgrove (Anné) Penny, Bethea Penny, Evan Penny, Gwynneth Butler, Janice (George) Fanning along with 12 grandchildren and 11 great- grandchildren.

A celebration of Esmé's life will be held at Knox Presbyterian Church, 2964 Richmond Road, Victoria, BC on Sunday June 14, 2026, from 3-5pm. Stream:https://youtube.com/@knoxpresbyterianchurchvict1935/live