On the evening of March 8 Penelope H. Dickens was driving from Boston attempting to make the last boat when her car went off the road; she died instantly in a single car crash.

Born August 9, 1952 in Springfield, Ohio, Penelope is the daughter of Anthony and Janet Dickens. She graduated from Concord High School in New Hampshire in 1970, studied in France and Greece, and received her bachelor of arts degree from Trinity College in Burlington, Vt., in 1984. After high school Penelope trained as a surgical technician and worked in New York and Vermont between 1984 and 1990. Before moving to Martha’s Vineyard, she worked as an account executive with the Cape Cod Newspapers. Most recently, she created her own line of jewelry and had secured her certification to teach English as a second language.

To know Penelope Dickens is to remember Penelope Dickens. Her majestic influence touched many Island people and organizations since her arrival on the Vineyard 20 years ago aboard the sailing vessel Zora. She was loved by many for her warmth, her genuine friendliness and care for people, and her interest in getting to know people. She took the time to make many, many friends. She will be remembered with fondness and love.

An advocate for housing, healthcare, children and the disadvantaged, Penelope worked to provide relief and opportunities whenever it would benefit those in need. She was the director of the Dukes County Regional Housing Authority for three of its most formative years, and was instrumental in convincing Island banks to work collaboratively to create a down payment fund for new home ownership. Penelope assisted state housing officials during construction of two special needs homes on the Vineyard, in addition to writing and administering grants totaling more than $2 million for many nonprofits Island-wide.

Penelope was a distinguished contributor to many social events. Whether it was her flair for fashion, the perfection of a covered dish, the playfulness of her voice, or the magnetism of her glance, Islanders welcomed Penelope’s presence. Wherever local musicians played, the appearance of Penelope Dickens on the dance floor was a cause for celebration.

Her volunteer activities were numerous. At the Martha’s Vineyard Women’s Health Network, she helped to raise money for uninsured and underinsured women to have necessary medical screenings; at Big Brother Big Sister of Martha’s Vineyard, Penelope was instrumental in preparing the annual Valentine’s Dinner fundraiser; she volunteered for the Island Affordable Housing Fund’s Islanders Helping Islanders Campaign Committee from 2001 to 2006; for the Boston Pops fundraiser for the Tabernacle in Oak Bluffs; for a Katrina fundraiser in 2005, where she organized an event at Lola’s Restaurant that raised $18,000 for homeless and battered women in Louisiana; and for the 2006 Gumbo Festival to raise money for the homeless musicians and restaurateurs of New Orleans.

The last three and a half years were a lesson in strength, faith, soul-searching and community for Penelope Dickens as she battled breast cancer and the BRCA II gene mutation. Miraculously, Penelope was on the road to cancer recovery and had been developing classes to teach English as a second language when her life ended tragically.

The Vineyard community, which Penelope so loved and to which she contributed through her involvement and dedication, has been an Island of angels for her.

She’s survived by her mother, Janet Dickens of Ft. Myers, Fla., her sister Amy Dickens of Pittsfield, N.H., and brother and sister in law, Erik and Nancee Dickens of Estero, Fla.

There will be a service at the West Tisbury Congregational Church on Saturday, March 27, at 1 p.m. to honor the life of Penelope H. Dickens. A celebration of her life will follow at the Agricultural Hall in West Tisbury. Please bring a covered dish to share. For more information, contact Chris Wright at 508-560-1592, or visit the “Events” tab on Facebook at Penelope Dickens Celebration of Life.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Penelope’s memory to Vineyard Healthcare Access, P.O. Box 1298, West Tisbury, MA 02575.