- Date Of Birth: April 6, 1939
- Date Of Death: July 13, 2023
- State: New Mexico
Penny Curfman, age 84, a dedicated wife and mother of five, passed away Thursday, July 13, 2023. Penny graduated from Hope Christian College in 1963 with a degree in Spanish. As a young woman she was one of the first volunteers in the newly formed Peace Corps, teaching English to Spanish-speaking teachers in Columbia, South America. After leaving Columbia she stayed on with the Peace Corps for several more years working in Washington D.C. and then in Hilo, Hawaii. Penny had an adventurous spirit and enjoyed traveling to numerous countries around the world.
After moving to Albuquerque in 1968, she completed her master’s degree and worked with Albuquerque Public Schools as a Kindergarten teacher and a reading specialist. She was passionate about literacy and worked continuously to improve educational opportunities for young children. Penny spent decades as an active member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children at both the State and National levels. She also was an active member in the education sorority, Alpha Delta Kappa. In 1976, Penny joined the Auxiliary of The Gideons International. She participated in different Scripture distributions, in jail ministry and in leadership positions including being the Auxiliary President of NM.
Penny is survived by her husband, Ben Curfman; their children, Karen Terry, Mamie Morrow, Tim Curfman, Kevin Curfman; and their grandchildren, Megan Denman, Amanda England, Cooper, Dolan, and Brady Terry, and MacieJane and Nora Morrow. She is also survived by her brother, Tom Adams and her sister, Jennifer Naselaris. She was the cherished Aunt to numerous nephews and nieces. She was preceded in death by her beloved mother, Louise Little and younger sister, Sandra Robison, and her daughter, Cherie Loveless. She deeply valued the friendship of all her friends.
