Jann Higginson Penney

November 1947 – September 2024

“"A peanut sat on a railroad track ..."”

Jann was the youngest child of Faye Beckstrand and Frank Higginson and was born in Myton, Utah in November 1947. She attended Highland High School during her freshman and sophomore years, ultimately graduating from South High School in Salt Lake City in 1965. She married Bryan Doran and began her family with the birth of twins Michael & Lori in 1970, followed by Scotty, her youngest, in 1973. After a decade as a homemaker and stay-at-home Mom she re-entered the workforce, beginning a 30-year career at the Utah State Tax Commision which culminated in her advancement to the position of floor supervisor at the time of her retirement. During her time there, she met and fell in love with Jake Penney. They married in 1987 and remained together until his death in 2016.

Jann loved to read, garden, and was an avid collector of antiques. Her favorite author was Tom Robbins, and her favorite book was Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams. Over her life she amassed a huge collection of hundreds of original handmade artisan nutcrackers from SteinBach and Ulbricht. She also collected porcelain China and handcrafted antique furniture. Her real passion though was her family, which was at the center of her life. In addition to being the proud mother of three children, Jann was a grandmother of seven, and great-grandmother of one. Her greatest joy in life came from spending all of her available time with her grandchildren- loving them, supporting them, and always making them feel extra special.

Preceded in death by her sister Kay, brother Rex, and mother Faye Higginson, Jann will be deeply and dearly missed by all who knew her.

A celebration of her life will be held this Saturday 9/14/24 from 11AM to 2PM for family and friends at Jann’s home - 917 East 8475 South Sandy Utah 84094