Penelope “Penny” Van Duyne, 83, of Scarborough, passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 27, 2026. She was a loving mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, whose generous and caring spirit will be greatly missed.

      She was born in Glen Ridge, New Jersey on July 16, 1943 to parents Margaret and Lester Vreeland. The 2nd oldest of five children, she grew up spending a lot of time outdoors - playing sports, climbing trees, and loving all aspects of animals and nature. She graduated from Pequanock High School in 1961, and then attended Hartwick College where she received a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing (Class of 1965). She married David Elden Van Duyne on August 17th, 1968, and they settled in Towaco, New Jersey to raise a family.

      For the next 30+ years, she served as a registered nurse at Barnert Hospital in Paterson, NJ. Meanwhile, she contributed to her community and beyond in a multitude of capacities: a longtime member of Jacksonville Chapel, leading Sunday School for kindergarteners for over 10 years, an organizer for senior citizen breakfasts at Cedar Hill School in Towaco, a Girl Scout troop leader, treasurer of the MTHS Music Boosters Association, and a passionate participant on several mission trips to Jamaica, where she put her nursing skills to good use. Embodying a welcoming spirit to all, she and her husband hosted International exchange students over the years from Japan, Germany, England, France, and Georgia Russia.

      In 2006, she moved to Scarborough, Maine and worked as a nurse at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House until retirement. She was also an active member of the Scarborough Garden Club and the First Congregational Church of Scarborough; continued to enjoy the great outdoors; and always loved running around to various events and activities with her nephews and grandchildren. Her life was one of service - to her family, her friends, her community, and God.

      She is survived by her three children - Jennifer Forsley of Scarborough, Maine; Elisabeth Van Duyne of Middlebury, Vermont; David Van Duyne of Portland, Maine - her beloved grandchildren - Theodore, Annabelle, Harlan, and Calvin - and her siblings - Meg, Susan, Tom, and Sarah.

      A celebration of life is planned for the second weekend of October. Contact the family directly for more details.

      In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the First Congregational Church & Scarborough Food Pantry (https://fccscarborough.com/) or Save the Children (https://www.savethechildren.org/).