Penny Bauer. (Courtesy photo)
Penelope (Price) Bauer, 85, of Harvard, beloved wife of Paul Bauer, died on Friday evening, Feb. 13, 2026, at Emerson Hospital in Concord, surrounded by her family.
Penny was born in Bradford, Pennsylvania on Nov. 1, 1940, a daughter of Raymond M. Price and Clarice (Sammler) Price, and resided in Harvard for the past 36 years. She was a communicant at St. Theresa Church.
Penny had a strong sense of adventure. When she agreed to marry Paul, a young man with limited means, she was given the choice of a nice engagement ring or an extended honeymoon. She chose the honeymoon, figuring that rings could always come later. So they set off for Miami Beach, then to Nassau and Montego Bay, arriving home with $5 in their pockets, a paycheck waiting for Paul, and a lifetime of wonderful memories. They then embarked on a journey together of 63 years, four children and seven grandchildren, and many more enjoyable times. Having set the stage on their honeymoon, they continued to take many worldwide trips and especially enjoyed a three-year stay in Germany where they explored every corner of Europe.
Penny was a devoted mother and homemaker. She was proud of her children and adored and delighted in her grandchildren. She will be sorely missed by all.
Penny had a deep and abiding interest in the theater, fashion, style, decorating, and the beach. Whether Doctor’s Cove, Huntington Beach, Newcomb Hollow, or Mackerel Cove, Penny never met a beach she didn’t like. She was a dedicated reader and determined to learn as much as she could. She was especially involved in current events, read newspapers and magazines cover to cover, and was always up to date. Penny was a shrewd judge of character, enjoying the variety of people she encountered. Despite years of extreme medical difficulties, Penny had a wonderful sense of humor and would find the bright side of almost any situation.
She leaves her husband of 63 years, Paul A. Bauer of Harvard; a son, Joshua Bauer of Hollis, New Hampshire; and three daughters, Amelia Bauer of Lunenburg; Elizabeth Smiley and her husband David Smiley of Auburn, New Hampshire; and Gretchen Cole and her husband Richard Cole of Amherst, New York. She also leaves seven grandchildren: Chelsey and Riley Bauer; Jake, Max, and Sam Smiley; and Nate and Charlie Cole.
In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her sister, Gretchen Ann McKeown.
A celebration of her life will be held on a day and time to be announced. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Windows of Hope c/o the Developmental Office at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Oncology Department, 330 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA 02215.