Pensri (Nhgamcheun) Pignatella

It is with deep sadness and hearts that feel shattered that we announce the passing of our beautiful, one-of-a-kind mother, Pensri O. Pignatella—“Penny” to so many who loved her (maiden name Nhgamcheun). She left us peacefully on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at the age of 70. Born on January 1, 1955, in Surin, Thailand, Mom lived every one of those years unapologetically, colorfully, and always out loud.

Mom was a spicy lady who told it exactly like it was. Sweet like mangos one moment, hot like Prik Kee Nu (Thai chilies) the next; she had zero filter and one hundred percent heart. She told it exactly like it was, leaving strangers laughing and loved ones blushing with some version of “Did she really just say that?” Yes, she did. Every time. Wherever we went, laughter followed, because Mom was coming in hot and nobody was off-limits.

She really adored her flowers, and she talked to them like old friends (probably gave them the same unfiltered opinions she gave everyone else). Her garden was proof that even the plants loved her honesty—they bloomed bigger and brighter for her. She sang and danced whenever music played, and she cooked the most amazing Thai dishes. She loved gorgeous dresses, sparkling shoes and jewelry she could play with for hours—laying all of it across the bed like a little girl with her precious jewels. But above all, family was her whole world—holidays, random Sundays, long phone calls and video chats… and plenty of mentions of ridiculous YouTube marathons she just had to tell us about. She loved all of us fiercely, out loud, and without apology.

Pensri was predeceased by her beloved son Brian Buthmann, and by her dear father-in-law Sam Pignatella and mother-in-law Constance Pignatella, all of whom she missed every single day and surely she is enjoying their company right now in Heaven.

She is survived by the people she cherished:

Her children:  

Lonnie Buthmann (Colorado Springs, CO)  

Joe Pignatella (Bristol, CT)  

Melissa Pagano and son-in-law Joe Pagano (Southington, CT)

Her grandchildren who called her “Yai”:  

Donnie, Brandon, and Madison Buthmann (Yuma, AZ)  

Dominic (and his girlfriend Grace Furey), Jaden, Trenton, Aria, and Levi Pagano (Southington, CT)  

Aiden and Brian Buthmann (Italy, TX)  

Raef Buthmann (Colorado Springs, CO)

Her great-granddaughters:

Lucille Buthmann (Yuma, AZ)  

and coming very soon, little Sienna Andrade (Yuma, AZ) and Everlee "Ping Pong" Pagano (Southington, CT).

Her ex-husband but forever friend, Joe Pignatella, who remained one of her biggest supporters through the years.

And her best friend, Jim. Her partner in crime and fellow adventure goer who showed unconditional love and support these past few years. 

Mom, Yai, Pensri, Penny, Pen—our beautiful, filter-less, dancing, flower-talking, tell-it-like-it-is Mama. Thank you for every laugh, for teaching us how to live big, love loud, and never, ever hold back.

In the near future we will gather for a celebration of life filled with food, music and all the fun stories we can fit into one day—because that’s exactly how Penny would want it. Details will follow soon.

All our love, today and forever—  

Your children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and everyone whose life you made brighter. Your memory will live on through all of us!