Penny Hidell
My name is Penny Brown Hidell. I grew up in Malvern. My Dad travelled a lot for work, and I was fortunate to see a lot of the world. In 1965 my family moved outside of Johannesburg, South Africa and I graduated from Rhodes University in Grahamstown, South Africa.
After college I spent 6 months working in London and the returned home to Malvern. I married Eric Brown in 1971. Eric and I have 2 daughters. Eric died in 2006, and we started the Eric Brown Music Scholarship Fund in memory of Eric. I am blessed to have reconnected with John Hidell (we graduated from Great Valley High School ’65) and were married at Covenant in 2015. Together we have 3 daughters, 1 son, 1 granddaughter and 6 grandsons. My daughters and grandsons live in Arizona and John’s children and grandchildren live in the Carolinas.
I began working at Covenant part-time in the church office in 1981 and eventually became full-time office administrator. I retired in 2017 after 36 wonderful years. I loved working at Covenant. What a warm and caring congregation which is why I officially became a member of Covenant around 1985. I am currently a member of the Unity Handbell Choir, Covenant Hospitality Committee, and an usher. I am currently on the Board of Deacons. I love to read, and John and I look forward to travelling across America and other countries.