Penny Lee Minasian, a native of Pacific Palisades, died in Oak Park on March 21 after an 18-month battle with lung cancer. She was 46. The daughter of Betty Forgette and Wesley Niemond, she was born December 27, 1958, in Santa Monica. She married Marc D. Minasian in 1987 at Palisades Presbyterian Church, and their son Blake was born in 1992. Penny graduated from Palisades High School in 1977, studied cosmetology at Orange Coast College and graduated from Cal State Northridge with a degree in economics in 1992. She owned her own hair salon for several years in Santa Monica, and after that was an independent hair stylist until 2004. She and her husband moved in late 1997 to Carmel, Indiana, for Marc’s business, and returned to California and settled in Oak Park in 2001. Penny was involved in the Palisades community growing up, and was a babysitter and nanny for many families. She belonged to a Girl Scout troop led by Palisadian Eva Holberg for many years, and participated in various service projects. Penny’s horse Boone was stabled below Will Rogers State Park, and she enjoyed many hours riding the trails at Will Rogers and in the Santa Monica mountains. Penny loved dancing, running, interior decorating and, most of all, parenting Blake. She attended Calvary Community Church. “Penny will be remembered for her wonderful laughter and ability to make others laugh, for her beautiful smile, for her warmth and caring nature, for her inspirational passion for living, and for her deep faith in God,” her family said. Survivors include her husband Marc and her son Blake of Oak Park; her mother Betty Forgette and her partner Warren Maruhashi of Bellevue, Washington; her father Wesley Niemond of Lake San Marcos; her stepfather Jack Forgette of Camarillo; her brother Bob (wife Laura) and their three children of Los Banos; and her sister Judith Niemond of Santa Monica. In addition, her mother-in-law Diane Minasian of Pacific Palisades; sisters-in-law Janette Minasian-Pires and family of Mar Vista, Sue Sims and Family of Fort Worth, Texas; and Sharon Skowron and family of Pacific Palisades. Penny was preceded in death by her father-in-law, Jora R. Minasian. Condolences can be sent to Marc and Blake Minasian at 6772 Pheasant Lane, Oak Park, CA 91377. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, March 31 at Calvary Community Church, 5495 Via Rocas, Westlake Village. There will be a reception immediately following the service at the church; all are welcome.
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