Notice Board

The University of Lethbridge expresses its sincere condolences to the family and friends of Hazel Penny who passed away on Sunday, September 21, 2014.

Hazel and her husband W. James (Jim) donated the Capital Furniture Building in downtown Lethbridge to the University in 2012. An important part of the city’s history, the building, now renamed the Dr. Foster James Penny Building, honours the Pennys' late son and his love of learning.

Foster passed away in 1992 at age 44 due to Lou Gehrig’s Disease. A lifelong learner, he had studied business and medicine and was both a doctor and a teacher.

Since 2012, the University has completed extensive renovations to the building and created a gathering space for the community. The building also provides a gallery space for Fine Arts students and is home to the U of L’s alumni relations, annual giving programs and the U of L Call Centre.

Originally from Saskatchewan, Jim and Hazel developed restaurant franchises in Canada and the United States, beginning with Dairy Queen in Estevan, Sask, Medicine Hat and Edmonton. From there, they branched out into Idaho and Washington and later moved to Ottawa to develop A&W franchises.

In 1968, the couple moved to Lethbridge and became partners in Capital Furniture, which they operated for 20 years. Fire destroyed the Capital Furniture building in the 1990s. It was rebuilt but the Pennys sold the business to concentrate on founding TacoTime Canada.

Hazel saw the Dr. Foster James Penny Building as a fitting tribute to her son and the couple viewed their donation as payback for all the education their children and grandchildren received.

A Funeral Service will be held at2:00pm on Friday, September 26,

A funeral service will be held on Friday, Sept. 26, 2014 at 2 p.m. at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, 1818 5 Ave S.

The University of Lethbridge will lower its flags Friday morning in honour of Hazel.