Penelope “Penny” Rodney Layton Fox Henrickson was born February 20, 1923 in Bryn Mawr, PA, the daughter of Landreth Lee Layton, Jr. and Marianne Skelton Gibbs Layton of Dover, PA. Mrs. Henrickson died peacefully in Rogers, AR. at the age of 95 on August 5, 2018.
She is pre-deceased by first husband, Royal Canadian Air Force Pilot William Robert Fox III; second husband, US Air Force Lt. Col. Clarence “Red” Henrickson; step-son USA TSgt. Jan Victor Henrickson (killed in action Vietnam War); daughter, Margaret Blair Fox; sister, Marianne Gibbs Layton Brinker; and brother, Alfred Wolcott Gibbs Layton.
Penny attended the National Cathedral School for Girls, (H.S. baccalaureate, traveling choir, Washington, DC); Wesminster Choir College, (BA in music, Princeton, NJ); and the University of Delaware, (MA in music education, Newark, DE).
From 1953-1963, she was the Founder & 1st Principal of “The Little School,” (the first pre-K private school in Dover, Delaware); in 1955, she became a member of the Descendants of the Signers of the Declaration; from 1964-1974, she was a President of the Daughters of the American Revolution (Hawaii); from 1974-2018 she was a member of Covenant Church, (PCA, choir alto); and from 1985-2018, she was National Ambassador of the Alliance Defending Freedom.
She is survived by a son, USAF Captain William Robert Fox IV of Lincoln, Delaware; five step-sons, Thomas Eric Henrickson, Esq. of Arizona, US Army (USA) Lt. Col. Jon Oscar Henrickson of Florida, USA SSgt. William Christopher Henrickson of Washington, US Marine Corps. Capt. Joseph Robin Henrickson of Tennessee, USMC Sgt. Alan Rolf Henrickson of California; two step-daughters, RN Melissa Ann Henrickson Duerden of Hawaii and RN Susan Kim Henrickson Schick of Pennsylvania; six grandchildren; great-grandchild; and 5 loving nieces.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, August 14, 2018 at Covenant Church, 45511 W. Wedington Dr., in Fayetteville with Pastor Paul Sagan officiating. A reception at the church will follow the service.
Her burial will take place in the fall at Christ Church in Dover, Delaware.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Alliance Defending Freedom, Christian Appalachian Project or the Rutherford Institute.
Bless you sweet, noble lady, and Rest In Peace, knowing what a bright light you brought to this life. It was our great pleasure to know you, and Red. No two people brought more interesting conversations into our lives.
Thank you God for giving me the wonderful friendship of Penny Henrickson. Penny, Marceal, and I had so many fun and highly interesting lunches together for about 18 years. Penny was a very intelligent and knowledgeable woman. I believe she is very happy–and healthy–in heaven. I am so grateful for her long-term Christian presence in my life, and the enrichment she brought to it. You will always remain lovingly in my heart, dear Penny.