Penelope Ann "Penny" Underdal

11/11/1943 - 12/13/2019

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Obituary For Penelope Ann "Penny" Underdal

Penelope Ann (Penny) Underdal, beloved wife, mother and grandmother, passed into Heaven on 13 December 2019 at age 76. She was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, on 11 November 1943 to Dearl Dee Gardner and Elizabeth Jane (Hannon) Gardner. Born into a military family, Penny spent her childhood moving from military station to military station. Fortunately, she was able to spend all four high school years in Sacramento, California, thanks to her father’s taking a remote tour to allow the family to stay in one spot long enough for her to graduate and be a cheerleader as well.

Penny began her college career at the University of Utah, but then transferred to Ohio State University where she proudly earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. After graduation, Penny began a 17-year career as an intelligence analyst for the Defense Intelligence Agency in Washington, D.C. During her career she was stationed at the United State Embassy in Rome Italy, and was the POW/MIA analyst for Laos in DIA’s POW/MIA office. During this time Penny also earned a Master’s Degree in International Affairs from Georgetown University. Her last position was as the Freedom of Information Officer for the Defense Intelligence Agency answering all outside requests for information about DIA activities.

When her husband, Dr. Stanley J. Underdal, accepted a university teaching position at San Jose State University, Penny left her position in the Department of Defense and moved with her husband and children, Shannon and Shaun, to Fremont, California. Penny then taught Political Science in several San Francisco Bay Area colleges, but she was particularly happy as a part-time teacher of Special Education students in the Fremont, California, schools.

An ardent internet researcher and Facebook enthusiast, Penny made friends all over the world, enjoyed ocean and river cruises, loved her dog Bianca, a purebreed Bichon Frise, attended every dance recital of her daughter and granddaughter, celebrated the commissioning of her son as an Air Force officer, and understood fully the joys and challenges of her daughter as a Special Education teacher. Penny also loved great art and visited major art museums all over the world, including The Hermitage in St. Petersburg, Russia. Her bookshelves are filled with art books and art pieces; her favorite artist was Claude Monet. She also was a great lover of music, particularly music of the 1970s and 1980s. For many years she sang in a local chorus and thoroughly enjoyed the musical friends she made. She lived life to the fullest. Penny temporarily leaves behind her husband Stan, daughter Shannon in Sacramento, California, and son Shaun in Fremont, California; stepsons Stanley Jr. in Ashburn, Virginia, and Bret in Fountain, Colorado; granddaughter Xiana Underdal in Sacramento, California; grandson Chook-Boke Underdal in Ashburn, Virgina; sister Kathleen Gardner in Charleston, South Carolina; aunt Connie Gardner in Oakland, California: and uncle Robert Hannon in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM, Saturday, January 4, 2020 with a Chapel Service at 11:00 AM, Fremont Memorial Chapel, 3723 Peralta Blvd., Fremont.

Services

4 Jan

Visitation

09:00 AM - 11:00 PM

Fremont Memorial Chapel 3723 Peralta Boulevard Fremont, CA 94536 Get Directions »
4 Jan

Chapel Service

11:00 AM

Fremont Memorial Chapel 3723 Peralta Boulevard Fremont, CA 94536 Get Directions »
by Obituary Assistant

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Condolences

  • 10/01/2021

    Hi Grandma, I miss you very much. Please continue to watch over us. I hope we are all making you proud. Everyday I think about you. My mom thinks about you all the time also. Bianca misses you also, I know she does. We all continue to share your spirit through us. Thank you for being one of my biggest supporters. I continue on through you. Words can not ever describe how much I miss you. Until I see you again, please watch over me. I love you grandma.

  • 10/01/2021

    We will remember Penny as the epitome of a strong woman, strong in her views and strong in her love for her family and friends, We will particularly remember her kindness to us when we came to San Jose where we knew no one. She generously included us in the festive family Thanksgiving celebration for a number of years, a gesture of friendship for which we remain forever grateful. We will miss you very much dear friend! Bruce & Pilaiwan Reynolds

  • 10/01/2021

    I love you mom and I miss you more than words can say! Your XiXi misses you so much!

  • 10/01/2021

    I admired Penny from a distance whenever she would visit her family who lived across the street from us. I remember her as tall and beautiful.....beautiful as her Mother Betty and baby sister Kathleen. I enjoyed telling people I knew someone in the CIA. See you again one day dear Penny! Love, Mary Beth Hiott Radcliffe

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