Henrietta (Penny) Alvina Geelan

Henrietta (Penny) Alvina Geelan, 86, passed away on Saturday, October 25, 2025 in Charlottesville, VA. Penny was born October 6th, 1939, the youngest daughter of four children of Henry and Irma Brettmann, in Nyack, NY. Penny was proceeded in death by her husband Timothy, her sisters Eleanor, Gloria, her brother Fredrick, and her grandson Sean.

Penny was a wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, teacher and a friend to many in New York, New Jersey and Virginia. She is survived by her children and their spouses, Chris Anne and Russell Hein, Lee and Stacey Geelan, her grandchildren Bryan, Alyssa, and Stephani, great grandchild, Connor and many beloved nieces and nephews.

She worked as a waitress at the local Friendly’s restaurant, as a receptionist at several doctors’ offices, taught nursery school at Young World Day School, a Girl Scout Troop leader, and a Sunday school teacher at Pascack Valley Bible Church in Hillsdale, NJ.

Penny and Tim retired to Nelson County, VA in 1997 from Woodcliff Lake, NJ where they built a home in Shipman. She joined the Calvary Baptist Church in Lovingston, VA, where she taught Sunday School and Awana Club Cubbies for many years. She was very involved in county events and attended every Board of Supervisors meeting she could.

She enjoyed spending time traveling to visit her family and friends in California, Florida and Vermont. She also traveled to Arizona, Israel, Brazil and Europe.

A memorial service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at Calvary Baptist Church with Pastor Tyler Lucas and Pastor John Campbell officiating.

The family will receive friends one half hour prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Cavalry Baptist Church, Hospice of the Piedmont, the Salvation Army or World Vision.

Family and friends may sign her virtual guestbook at www.WellsSheffield.com

Arrangements by Wells/Sheffield Funeral Chapel, Lovingston (434-263-4097).