Margaret Rose Butler Pennycuick, 86, of Springfield died July 2, 2024. Mrs. Pennycuick was the youngest of four children. She attended Birch Tree High School and graduated valedictorian in 1955. She received a bachelor of science degree in education from Southwest Missouri State University in 1969, and a master of science degree in education from Webster University. She began her teaching career in a small one-room schoolhouse in Sargent. She spent the majority of her teaching career as a second grade teacher at Geggie Elementary School in the Rockwood School District in Eureka. In total, she taught for 28 years while raising a family and later retiring in 1992. In retirement, she and Richard farmed near Claremore, Okla. Mrs. Pennycuick enjoyed cross-stitching and crocheting. She loved spending time with her family and especially enjoyed cooking with and for her grandchildren, family and friends. She will be remembered for her caring and loving nature. Born Sept. 22, 1937, near Birch Tree, she was the daughter of the late Daniel Dewey and Maude Melvina Shelley Butler.
She is survived by her husband of 67 years: Richard Hugh Pennycuick of Montier whom she married on Aug. 18, 1957, at the Birch Tree Baptist Church; three children: Richard (Tracy) Pennycuick of Harleysville, Penn., Richelle (Timothy) Helbig of Claremore, Okla., and Mark (Alessandra) Pennycuick of Eureka; 10 grandchildren: Jena Christian Pennycuick (Mike) Grissett; Erika Pennycuick (Andrew) Grubbs, Captain Caitlin Pennycuick (Andrew) Grieve, Alexander Pennycuick, First Lieutenant Alyssa Pennycuick, Margo Helbig (Oscar) Martinez, Hannah (fiance Thomas Vanhooser) Helbig, Hutch Helbig, Emma Pennycuick and Ethan Pennycuick; five great-grandchildren: Emilee Salyers, Bella Grissett, Charles Grissett, Evelyn Grubbs and William Grubbs.
She was preceded in death by three siblings: Robert Lee (Maxine) Butler, Earl D. (Phyliss) Butler and Mary Ruth Butler (Leroy) Hensley; a daughter-in-law: Janet Bisch Pennycuick; and granddaughter: Emily Mary Pennycuick.
Visitation is scheduled from 10 a.m. until funeral services at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 10, at Yarber Mortuary, 621 E. 5th St., in Mountain View. Burial will be in Brown-Depriest Cemetery in Birch Tree. Arrangements are under the direction of Yarber Mortuary.