Myzell Emma Pennington Rakowsky, 94, of Vero Beach, passed away on Jan. 27, 2014.
Rakowsky was born on Feb. 21, 1919, in Virginia and grew up through the Washington, D.C., school system, finishing a post grad secretarial program.
As the US prepared for WWII she was working as an executive assistant to Col Pabst in General Marshall’s office. She travelled the mammoth halls of the Pentagon daily and was known not only for her tenacious work ethic but also for her beauty, being voted runner up Miss Army Air Corp.
Rakowsky seldom had time to travel but one fortuitous day she stepped on the train at Penn Station to visit her family in Hampton, where she met a handsome blonde captain readying to be shipped out.
As Captain Charles Rakowsky introduced himself, Rakwosky shyly spoke to the officer only to learn that he was headed to Normandy. After the three hour ride, he asked if she would write and for four years, the two wrote their VMails with great anticipation. Charles finally returned from the war to be embraced by Rakowsky and married in the spring.
Two years later “Penny” and “Rak” had a baby daughter born on Jan. 27th. They lived and worked in New Jersey until 1972 when they retired early to Johns Island in Vero Beach.
They loved their time together, playing golf, picking shells along the beach, swimming, playing cards (she became known as the Queen of Diamonds) and attending MOAA events. They especially loved their church, The First Presbyterian of Vero and were particularly involved with the stained glass window project until Charles Rakowsky passed after 42 years of marriage.
Rakowsky lived as a widow until Jan. 27, when she passed away quietly in her daughter’s arms on her daughter’s birthday.
Her daughter wrote, “My gift is knowing that my mother is now with my father, together forever in GOD’s Kingdom.”
A visitation will be held from 2:30- 4 p.m., Friday, Feb. 7, 2014 followed by a Celebration of Life at 4 p.m., at the First Presbyterian Church of Vero Beach. Burial will take place at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach. An online guestbook may be signed at www.coxgiffordseawinds.com