Penelope Ann Zago

Penelope Ann Zago, 81, of Lansing, Michigan, passed away on December 7, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of love, curiosity, and benevolence that will be remembered by all who knew her.

Born on September 21 in Maine, Penny was known for her warmth, creativity, and uncanny ability to connect with people of all ages and backgrounds. She dedicated her life to advocating for those she cared about and the causes she believed in—most notably as an educator of the visually impaired within the Warren Consolidated School District and as a proud voice for Michigan’s students through her service on the State Board of Education. Penny touched countless lives in classrooms, boardrooms, and through her many adventures around the world with her beloved husband of 55 years, John, and their dear friends. It was not just what she taught but how she taught that left such a lasting impact.

Penny met people exactly where they were. A patient listener with a gentle spirit, she made even difficult concepts feel possible. Her grandchildren knew well one of her favorite sayings: “Do you know the only way to eat an elephant?” They would answer with dramatic horror — “No!” — and Penny would smile and finish: “One bite at a time.” The phrase became a reflection of her gift for helping others see potential in themselves they didn’t yet know existed. She believed that with encouragement, patience, and the willingness to take things step by step, anyone could achieve something extraordinary. She was a catalyst—igniting sparks in students, friends, family, and even strangers. Outside of her professional and community work, Penny cherished travel, the arts, and her church. Friends and family will forever remember her gift for capturing the world with her camera. To see her photographs was to glimpse life through her eyes—ordinary moments made meaningful. The soft expressions of loved ones, the wind sweeping across open fields, the splash of water as grandchildren raced down a slip-and-slide—all transformed into something fuller, more beautiful. Her curiosity helped those she loved see the world in a different light. Her mind was extraordinary, and we are endlessly grateful for the pieces of it she shared. Penny infused everyday life with intention and care. She noticed people—truly saw them—and made them feel valued. She sent cards and small gifts “just because,” organized surprises and adventures for her children and grandchildren and created little traditions like the cherished “grams bag” to inspire hope and positivity at the start of each day. She never acted for praise; she simply wanted to lift the spirits of those around her. She was a passionate patron of education and the arts, believing deeply that people grow when exposed to new perspectives. She brought her children and grandchildren to museums, plays, congressional meetings, and philanthropic events to ensure they developed a connection not only to their immediate world but to the broader community. Penny gave back through mission trips, volunteer work, and continuous learning—always striving to be the strongest advocate she could be.

Penny is survived by her two children, Rebecca and Joseph Zago; her four grandchildren, Grant, Zach, and Alexandra Hutchison, and Giovanni Zago; and her four great-grandchildren, Javier Hutchison, and Braiden, Kaiden, and Ryder Hutchison. Additionally, Penny is survived by her three sisters Debbie Gibbs, Jenny Vanderhoff, and Mary-Jane Herman, and their families. They will carry forward her legacy of kindness and adventure. She is preceded in death by the love of her life, John Zago.

To know Penny was to experience the brightest, purest love. Her story continues in all of us who were fortunate enough to share even a small part of her journey. Christmas was always her favorite time of year, and from her first holiday season with John, they had never spent a single Christmas apart. Now, we may rest comfortably knowing that they never will. We know she is smiling down now—camera in hand—surrounded by loved ones who welcomed her home, encouraging us to keep smiling today and every day after.

Visitation for Penny will take place on Friday, December 12, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. Prayer and Sharing Service at Wysocki & Wilk Funeral Home, 29440 Ryan Road, Warren, Michigan. The Funeral Service for Penny will be held at the 1st United Methodist Church, 5005 Chicago Road, Warren, Michigan on Saturday, December 13, 2025. A brief visiting period will start at 9:30 a.m. with the service starting at 10:00 a.m. Interment to follow at Cadillac Memorial Gardens, East Cemetery in Clinton Township, Michigan.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like to encourage donations in her memory to go to the Alzheimer's Association. 

Please share a memory, thought, or prayer with the family here on Penny's online guestbook.