Penny Whoolery
Penny Whoolery is the wife of late Local Union 1980 member and International Organizer Marlon Whoolery. Penny has been a key member in orchestrating the annual Robena Memorial and is always found behind the scenes helping at the District 2 Pensioner Picnics any way she can.
“I always say, and I will say it again, I know that I will never have to worry because the United Mine Workers of America will always be there for me,” said Penny.
“For as long as I can remember, each year at the Robena Memorial, Penny has come in every kind of weather and participates by sharing her angelic voice to all,” said International District 2 Vice President Chuck Knisell. “It doesn’t matter if it’s pouring rain, Penny was there at the microphone.”
At the 60-Year Anniversary of the Robena Mine Explosion memorial service in December 2022, it had been only three months since Brother Marlon had passed. “Penny sang with everything she had in her,” said Knisell. “Sister Penny will always have a home at the UMWA. We will always be there for her, just as she and Marlon were always there for us.”
