Beth Penelope "Penny" Florence Tolman

Beth Penelope “Penny” Florence Tolman, 88, returned to her heavenly home November 12, 2024, after a brief battle with Melanoma. She held on just long enough for her daughter Joanna to join her daughter Sallie by her bedside.

Born April 6, 1936, on Wander Lane in Holladay, Utah, Penny was the 12th and final child of Abigail Amanda Hintze & Henry Samuel Florence. Her mother was nearly 43 years old. She had many fond memories of growing up in Holladay with all of her older siblings, cousins, as well as nephews & nieces who were close to her age. She loved recounting stories like riding her horse to piano lessons or going into town and registering herself for kindergarten.

Penny was very proud of her heritage, particularly in Holladay, where her Danish great-grandfather Anders Hintze’s home is now the oldest still standing in the city. She authored numerous family and local history books, which her family and friends will forever cherish. Writing these books gave her a sense of purpose well into old age. She finished her final book just weeks ago. 

When Penny was still young, her father purchased the Alpine Rose Lodge in Brighton, where she spent much of her time, and where she eventually met her eternal companion, Ronald Tolman, who was working the ski lift. Brighton, like Holladay, was a special place in her life filled with memories of riding horses up mountains with nephews, swimming in lakes, and helping in the lodge with her adult sisters. Later in life she would take her children and grandchildren up to Brighton for campfire breakfasts.

Penny began her high school education at Granite High and later transferred to the newly opened Olympus High, graduating in 1954. She then accompanied her parents to Hawaii, where they had been called to serve their second Hawaiian church mission. She participated in missionary work before enrolling at the newly established Church College of Hawaii (now BYU-Hawaii), where she became valedictorian of its first graduating class. She later graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Music from the University of Utah.

Music was a huge part of Penny’s life. She began serving as a ward organist at age 10 and was finally released from her call as a ward organist at age 88. She taught piano lessons professionally for many years and later offered lessons to her grandchildren. 

On September 14, 1962, she was sealed to her love, Ronald Buchanan Tolman, in the Manti Temple. Three daughters were born to them. After Ron's sudden death in June 1983, Penny became a widow at age 47. She began working at Dan’s grocery store to support her children. It was at Dan’s where she became friends with the whole community. Even in her later years, countless regular customers recognized her familiar smiling face just about everywhere she went from her decades at the checkout counter.

Known affectionately as “Grammy” to her nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, it was her favorite nickname. She worked tirelessly caring for her grandchildren and teaching them everything she knew. She taught them how to drive a stick-shift, how to plant a vegetable garden, how to read music, how to bake raspberry pies, how to prune a rose bush, etc. Her grandchildren are forever grateful.

Penny will be remembered most by her family and friends for her Christlike compassion and love for her fellowmen. She was a friend to the needy and forgotten, always having room for them at her dinner table or buying them a ticket to a sporting event. She was a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and read her scriptures diligently, attended the temple regularly, and shared her testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ openly. She served as Relief Society President among other callings. She truly strived to live as the Savior taught. 

Penny is survived by her daughters: Joanna Hougland-Ellison (Pete), Sallie Bennett (Joe), and Rosemary Weiland (David); nine grandchildren and four spouses; and five great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ron, her parents, and all of her numerous siblings and in-laws.

The family is extremely grateful to Mom’s neighbors, especially the Smith and Childs families, and friends who loved her and watched over her. Thank you to our cousin, Dr. Lauren Florence, who so willingly helped love and care for Mom. We also appreciate Jan, her hospice nurse, for caring for Penny.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, November 18, 2024, at 11 a.m. in the Skyview Ward, 1361 E 4000 S. Friends and family may call at Memorial Holladay-Cottonwood Mortuary, 4670 S Highland Dr, on Sunday, 4-6 p.m. and on Monday, 10 - 10:45 a.m. at the church. Burial will follow at Memorial Holladay Cemetery, 4900 S Memory Ln.