A Pillar of the Babb Family Association

From the first moment I walked into the 2001 Babb Family Association Reunion, Penny Chaboudy was there to greet me. She was the coordinator of the reunion, which was held at the breathtaking Isles of Shoals. Ever since that memorable day, Penny has been a steadfast pillar in the ever-shifting landscape of our organization. The cover image is of Penny at the 2001 Reunion as we arrived on Star Island and were awaiting transport to Appledore.

One of her remarkable contributions was negotiating the deal with Jean A. Sargent to purchase the copyright to her works, allowing us to carry forward her legacy. Jean was quite adamant that her book should never be digitized or expanded and could only be reprinted in its original form. Penny, with her unwavering kindness, patience, and persistence, took the lead and after several years, she finally convinced Jean to allow us to bring the work into the digital age. In my youthful brashness, I lacked the polish needed and could not have achieved this without Penny’s gentle and steadfast support.

Penny’s dedication to preserving our family’s history didn’t stop there. In 2010 she was instrumental in locating and restoring Blanch Babb Mercer’s recognition as an American Patriot. Grace, Penny’s third great-grandmother, had given aid to soldiers during the Revolution, and Penny worked tirelessly to ensure her ancestor’s contributions were honored and remembered. This painstaking effort was a testament to Penny’s deep respect for our heritage and her commitment to ensuring it was never forgotten.

Throughout the years, I have often sought Penny’s advice. Most recently, she helped me prepare for the 2024 Reunion in Winchester, VA. Although the original itinerary from the first Babb visit to Winchester had been lost to time, Penny remembered it vividly. She had also coordinated the 1995 Winchester Reunion and provided invaluable insights on places to include in the itinerary. She advised me on locations that wouldn’t have been obvious and we regularly discussed the plans, ensuring everything was meticulously arranged.

In the last few years, Penny’s mobility was greatly reduced, and by the time of the reunion, she was confined to bed and unable to attend. However, her spirit and guidance were ever-present, and once again, I couldn’t have accomplished the reunion without her.

I fondly recall Penny’s humorous remark in 2001, declaring that coordinating another reunion would spell the end of her marriage. This led us to recruit new coordinators to assist moving forward, but her legacy and influence continued to shape our gatherings.

Penny Chaboudy has truly been an anchor for the Babb Family Association, her dedication and gentle leadership leaving an indelible mark on all of us. Her contributions have not only preserved our history but have also strengthened our bonds and enriched our reunions in countless ways. Her spirit of kindness, persistence, and dedication will forever remain a guiding light for our community.

Penny had a long history with the Association before I ever walked in the door, and she was ever supportive right up to the end. I know that she was a former President of the Association as well as having coordinated at least three reunions. As I said, she has been a constant in this ever-shifting landscape, and I’m very sad to report that she passed away at 8 pm on January 4th, 2025. She died peacefully at her home surrounded by family.

Penny’s passing leaves a void that will be hard to fill, but her spirit and the legacy she built will continue to inspire us. Her tireless efforts and unwavering dedication ensured that the rich history and familial bonds of the Babb Family Association would endure. As we move forward, we will carry her memory with us, honoring her contributions by striving to uphold the values she cherished and the community she so lovingly nurtured.

---

Her Obituary is reprinted below for posterity:

Source: Louise B. Chaboudy Obituary 2025 – Henry Funeral Home

Louise B. Chaboudy

Louise “Penny” Anderson Beardsworth Chaboudy, 81, of Staunton, passed away quietly at home, surrounded by her family, on Saturday, January 4, 2025. 

She is survived by her husband of over sixty years, Carl “Butch” Harry Chaboudy; her eldest son, George William Chaboudy of New Jersey; her daughters-in-law, Jennifer Petri of New Jersey and Lisa Chaboudy of Virginia; and her five grandchildren, Jared Burzynski (27), Jordan Burzynski (25), Grant Chaboudy (24), Caden Chaboudy (16), and William Chaboudy (14). 

In addition to her parents, she joins her youngest child, Cameron Hale Chaboudy, in the arms of her Heavenly Father.

Penny was born on December 15, 1943, at King’s Daughters Hospital in Staunton, a daughter of the late William Henry, Jr. and Louise Brown Beardsworth. 

She attended Robert E. Lee High School in Staunton where she was a member of the National Honor Society. She continued her education at Roanoke College for a year before transferring to Florida Southern College. During her time in college, Penny was a member of the Phi Gamma Mu National Social Science Honorary Society, the Pi Delta Epsilon National Journalism Society, the Kappa Delta Pi National Education Society, and the Phi Mu Social Sorority. Most importantly, she met the love of her life, Butch. She graduated from Florida Southern with a degree in Early Childhood Education and later earned a master’s degree from the University of South Dakota.

Penny and Butch were married on November 26, 1965, at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Staunton. Shortly after, they embarked on twenty-plus years of travel, as Butch served in the United States Army. Her travels included a total of five years in Germany, three years in the Philippines, and homes in Kansas, South Dakota, Kentucky, Ohio, Maryland and northern Virginia. Eventually, Penny and Butch settled in Staunton, where they enjoyed their retirement years in Mint Springs on Mt. Ida Lane. 

Throughout her life, Penny worked in various roles that included teaching in Augusta County, Anne Arundel County Junior High in Maryland, the Department of Defense Schools overseas, and then acted as the director and counselor of an Army Education Center. She also worked as a realtor and a representative for the Northwest Ohio Education Technology Foundation. On her second stay in Germany, she implemented the pilot childcare program for the Department of the Army. Penny was also appointed to the Fairfax County Airport Authority Board and the Social Security Board.

Penny’s favorite hobby was genealogy. She was a member of a large number of genealogical organizations to include the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Americans of Royal Descent, the National Society of Colonial Dames, the Jamestown Society, the Colonial Order of the Crown, the Society of the Friends of St. George, the Descendants of the Knights of the Most Nobel Garter, the National Society of the Magna Charta Dames, the Order of the Descendants of the Justiciars, the Society of the Plantagenet Kings of England, the Continental Society of the Daughters of the Indian Wars, the National Society of the Daughters of American Colonists, the National Society of the Sons and Daughters of Pilgrims, the National Society of the Southern Dames of America, and the US Daughters of 1812. She was most proud of being a Founding Regent of the National Society of Daughters of the American Colonists. She served in many capacities, including chapter presidents, vice presidents, treasurer, and chaplain.

There will be a Remembrance Gathering from 6:00 to 8:00 PM on Friday, January 10, 2025, at Henry Funeral Home in Staunton.

The family will place Penny at Thornrose Cemetery in Staunton at a future date, where she will be laid to rest alongside her son, Cameron.