Two women who reached the incredible age of 100 earlier this year may not have known each other, but they will forever be connected in Door County history.

The passing of two Sturgeon Bay women, Ruth Violet Penovich, and Lillian Zwicky, came only three days apart and right before Christmas.  Penovich passed away on December 21, while Zwicky died on Christmas Eve. 

Penovich and Zwicky were born on March 31 and November 6, 1924, respectively, and reached the status of “centenarian” in 2024.

According to their obituaries, Penovich was a lifelong Door County resident born at home in the Town of Baileys Harbor, while Zwicky was born in Brussels to Joseph and Mary (Baudhuin) DuBois. 

Penovich, whose maiden name was Meyer, grew up and worked on the family farm while attending school in the Baileys Harbor area.  After marrying John Penovich and settling in Sturgeon Bay, she worked as a clerk at McClellen’s Store and H.C Prange Company until her retirement in the early 1980s.

Zwicky worked as a bookkeeper at Baudhuin Yacht Harbor and also helped operate an orchard with her husband, Marvin Zwicky, for many years.  

The celebration of life and funeral services for Ruth Penovich was held this past Friday at St. Joseph’s Church in Sturgeon Bay. Lillian Zwicky’s services will be at 11:00 a.m. this Monday, December 30, at Forbes Funeral Home in Sturgeon Bay.

You can find the complete obituaries of both Penovich and Zwicky on the obituary page here.

(photos of Lillian Zwicky and Ruth Penovich from obituaries)