Penelope Chigwada –October 23, 1950, October 26, 2024

Penelope Chigwada, age 74, passed away unexpectedly October 26, 2024, at Intermountain Lutheran hospital in Wheat Ridge Colorado. Penelope Chigwada was Born on October 23rd, 1950, in Harare to her late parents Joseph Mudzinge and Matilda Meggie Chimanikire. She survived by her two sisters Alice, and Edith, her 4 Brothers Oziment, Albert, Licks and Edgar. She also had several half brothers and sisters. Penelope married the love of her life the late Aaron Chigwada who she helped raise his children. Penelope was blessed with four girls Melerin (Denford) Madekufamba, Meggie Chigwada, Grace Chigwada (Taurai Chiku) Chiku and her baby Hamunyari Chigwada (Calvin Mukarakate). With that came the joy of her life her 10 grandchildren (Matilda, Penelope, Miranda, Eugene, Micah, Leroy, Mikaela, Ariella, Adriel and Maxwell). She had her bonus son Farai (Gladies) Muronzi whom she loved and fiercely protected from Hamu. She also had several nieces and nephews who bore her bonus grandbabies that she loved dearly. Her children and grandchildren were the joy set before her and what kept her going. She would do anything for them, and the time spent with her will forever be cherished and she will be greatly missed by her children and grandchildren.

Penelope attended St Hughes Mission we she went to standard 6. She had to drop out of school to work with her father to help take care of her siblings. Penelope She was a member of the United Methodist Church for many years, were she held several leadership roles at the local church and District levels. She also worked with her husband to establish the United Methodist Church in Chingwere Mhondoro. Which lead to multiple local United Methodist Churches being established in Mhondoro. Penelope's life was an epitome of family, friends, relatives and community. She welcomed people in her home regardless of social and economic status. In 2016 she moved to the United States of America to be closer to most of her children and grandchildren. She became a US citizen in 2021 and attended Green Mountain United Methodist Church where she was part of United Women in Faith. Her greatest joy was spending time with her children and grandchildren. She found pleasure in travelling all over the world. She found pride in documenting all the states and countries she had visited over the years.

Penelope Chigwada taught us all how to be strong and independent, how to navigate ourselves in a world full of uncertainty and prejudice. She is the reason we all understand how imperative it is that we never lose sight of ourselves, with her famous statement 'Chero uri mupenyu hako Muzukuru/Mwanangu, naMwari zvinoita.' She instilled in us Christian values, showed us compassion, love and tolerance. She had a very big heart that embraced everyone she came across, I think it's safe to say in the days of Ambuya Penelope Chigwada, we saw the hand God unlike never before. Having said that, she gave us a family, a village that keeps on growing and she made sure we would never be alone, for that and for every day we had with Ambuya Chigwada, every day we got to love her, we say Thank You Ambuya! Your presence and your influence is a light that will continue to shine in our hearts for generations and generations.

Penelope was preceded in death by her husband, father, Mother, Sister (Josephine), and 7 half brothers and sisters

Our prayer warrior, pillar of strength, confidante and fountain of wisdom rest in peace our dear mom and grandmother. We miss you dearly