Penney, Caroline A. (Caroline Autenrieth), 1896-1992

Caroline Autenrieth Penney was born in 1896 in Eldred, New York, but also lived part of her life in Phoenix, Arizona. She was a philanthropist and the third wife of the legendary merchandiser James Cash Penney.

In the 1920s, Caroline met Mr. Penney and worked as his secretary for a short period. As a talented voice student, she traveled to France to study voice in 1925. She married Mr. Penney in 1926 in Paris, France. It was her first marriage and the twice-widowed Mr. Penney's third marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Penney had two daughters, Mary Frances (Wagley) and Carol Marie (Guyer).

The Penneys' life was not always financially secure. During the Depression, the couple was forced to sell their Miami house and closed sections of their Westchester house to save heating costs, and Mrs. Penney canned fruits and vegetables grown on their farm in Westchester.

During their 45-year marriage, Mrs. Penney actively supported her husband's business activities. She often accompanied him in his travels and appearances as he built JCPenney into one of the world's largest retail chains. After his death in 1971, she served as president of the James C. Penney Foundation for eight years.

Mrs. Penney was a patron of the arts, was active in the Metropolitan Opera and its guild, was on the boards of the Parsons School of Design and American Mothers Inc., and was a member of the Young Women's Christian Association World Service Council.

Throughout her life, Mrs. Penney was close to her sister Olga A. Chase. She was survived by her two daughters, nine grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, two step-granddaughters, and three step-great-grandchildren.

Sources:

Caroline A. Penney obituary in The New York Times , March 19, 1992

Penney and Allied Family Genealogical and Biographical Study

From the guide to the Caroline A. Penney Papers A2004. 0017., 1905-1992, (DeGolyer Library, Southern Methodist University)