Penny Gatewood McKenzie Ershig

Penny Gatewood McKenzie Ershig, 73 was born September 3, 1948 and died November 21, 2021.
She passed peacefully in Naples Florida in Hospice care with family members by her side.
Penny was a loving mother, wife, sister, aunt, friend, and a wonderful grandmother to her only grandchild, Kelly McKenzie Eberline, who was her pride and joy. Penny was always the life of the party and had the ability of making people laugh and the gift to be able to light up any room whenever she entered with her beautiful, infectious smile. No one was able to tell a story with such animation and character better than Penny. Not only was she one of the most incredibly funny, wittiest, and zany characters, she could tell jokes that would make anyone blush from head to toe.
Penny attended Ashland Community College & Morehead State University. She was active and on the board of directors at Riverview School in Henderson, KY, a school for special needs children. She also had a fierce love for all animals and even raised an abandoned baby squirrel, Chestnut and raised him as she was his momma squirrel. It was not uncommon to see Penny out and about in Henderson KY shopping with Chestnut on her shoulder. She always made a point to donate to the Humane Society.
Penny was preceded in death by her parents, Lawless & Phyllis McKenzie and son, Chad McKenzie Ershig. She is survived by her husband, Don Ershig; daughters, Mary Lawless Martin of Evansville, IN, Brook Eberline (Matt) of Henderson KY; siblings, Patsy Lentz (Don) of Lexington, KY, John McKenzie (Debbie) of Winchester VA., and Lee Ann McKenzie Webster of Atlanta GA; granddaughter Kelly McKenzie Eberline, and many nieces and nephews. She was lovingly cared for by Karina Alfonso at her residence in Naples, FL, who ultimately became one of her dearest friends.
Visitation will be held at Steen funeral home (1501 Central Ave in Ashland, KY) on December 4th between 1:00 – 2:00pm. Funeral services will follow at Calvary Episcopal Church (1337 Winchester Ave in Ashland, KY) on Saturday December 4th at 3pm with burial following in Ashland Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Riverview School in memory of Penny, 133 S Water St, Henderson, KY 42420.
To share a remembrance of Penny or to express a condolence to her family, please visit: steenfuneralhome.com.