Celebrating The Life Of
Ruby Lee ‘Penny' Lanaa 8th May 1946 - 22nd December 2020
Celebrating the life of Ruby Lee ‘Penny' Lana Ruby Lee, affectionately called Penny was born on the 8th of May 1946 to Reuben and Marie Washington in Selma. Alabama. Penny was the quintessential first daughter, she took her role of sister to her siblings: Sonny (older brother), Delores and Barbara seriously. Penny grew up in a close knit family where the values of hard work and loyalty to family were instilled. Characteristics that would serve her well throughout her life. In 1960, due to a change in family circumstances, Penny along with her mother-Marie (Motherdear), and siblings relocated to the Bronzeville District of Chicago Illinois. It was also the same year Penny became a high school freshman at Parker High. There Penny excelled at the then new skills and technologies of typing and shorthand, as well as Home Economics and a natural flare for Art. Shortly after graduating high school in 1964Penny began her working life at the trendsetting catalogue company Spiegel. It did not take Penny long to rise to the level of supervisor. During this period Penny gave birth to her first child Tawanda Yvonne. Encouraged by her mother Marie, Penny embarked on a change in career – re training as an Operating Room Technician.
8th May 1946 - 22nd December 2020
Celebrating the life of Ruby Lee ‘Penny' Lana While working as an Operating Room Technician at Columbus Hospital in Chicago IL, Penny met the love of her life –Emerson Lana. When they met Emerson, who was from Nigeria, West Africa and attending university in the US - pumped gas at Penny's local gas station. Emerson often often told her "I won’t pump gas forever.” Shortly after this declaration the couple were married in 1972. Their union was blessed with the birth of Omotomike Yolanda. Penny threw herself into the role of a working mother and wife with her family relocating to the northern suburb of Dekalb Illinois. Once Penny’s husband Emerson, completed his studies in 1977, the small family once again relocated - this time to Nigeria,West Africa. Once again with vim and vigour Penny threw herself into creating a circle of family and friends through various associations. In an environment similar to nothing she had experienced before, Penny adopted the mindset of a pioneer –rarely complaining and bemoaning the lack of creature comforts she was used to. Penny adapted and improvised along the way.As a foreigner far from home Penny was naturally drawn to those in a similar situation. This led her to join NigerWives an association of foreign wives of Nigerians that supports their integration into Nigerian society. Penny was also a member of Zonta International Foundation….
8th May 1946 - 22nd December 2020
Celebrating the life of Ruby Lee ‘Penny' Lana Through these organisations Penny established friendships with women, wives of Nigerians, from all over the world - England, Germany, Denmark, Canada, India and of course the United States. With this group of friends Penny ran language classes to learn her husband's langiage -Yoruba. Penny also learned how to tcook some indigenous foods from her life long friend Mrs. Pat Akinbadewa (who was from England). Penny established a Scout group at a local primary school with her friend the late Mrs. Elisabeth Akinbobola (who was from Denmark). Initially set up as a way for Penny and Elisabeth’s children to socialize. Penny, whose Scout title was Baloo, opened it up to local indigenous children, it grew to over twenty-five children. Penny also organised day trips to local tourist attractions and received invitations for the group to take part in a march past (parade) celebrating a second term win of the then Ondo State governor Chief Adekunle Ajasin. All so very far from her humble Selma,Alabama beginnings! Penny monetised her gift for creating culinary delights. Initially staring with the craft of cake making Penny became the go to person in her town for unbelievable creations her customers had never seen! Penny supplied celebration cakes for a variety of occasions including weddings and birthdays. Her clients included the prestigious Rotary Club (Akure chapter). Penny ventured further into catering as the contracted supplier for lunch at a number of local nursery and elementary schools. This was her livelihood until her return to Chicago in 1992.
8th May 1946 - 22nd December 2020
Celebrating the life of Ruby Lee ‘Penny' Lana Once again, due to a change in circumstances, Penny left behind fifteen years of her life and home she had established in Nigeria. With her accustomed mindset Penny set about re-integrating herself into the life of her sisters Lois and Bobbie,while facilitating for her youngest daughter Tomike to join her from Nigeria. Once Tomike joined Penny she threw herself into establishing a home and a basis for Tomike to pursue her education. Penny touched the lives of the many people who passed through hers, assisting and supporting in whatever way she was able. There was always a plate at her table for a anyone who might find themselves alone at the holidays. Penny’s mantra – “one monkey don’t stop no show”underpins the strong legacy she lives behind: don’t let life circumstances hold you back! Penny is preceded in death by her brother Samuel (Sonny) Washington & her sister Delores C. Guest Penny is survived by her daughters Tawanda Tobin (London, England) & Dr. Tomike Lana PsyD, CADC, ; her sisters Barbara Triplett-Johnson & Anglinia Washington; three grandchildren - Aisha Barbara Adesanya (London, England), Ifeyinwa Ruby Tobin(London, England) & EmerLee Lana; great grandson Zion Dinham (London, England); brother-in-law James Johnson son-in-law Chinyere Tobin (London, England); nieces Dorcas Guest-Nelson, Dawn Guest, Dana Davenport, Ella Grace Mitchell; nephews Daniel Guest, David Guest & Jerry Triplett; and close family friends Mrs. Florence Koya and Pastor & Mrs Olumide Oluwole and their children Toyosi and Kayode.
8th May 1946 - 22nd December 2020