September 2020
Chris passed away peacefully
on Tuesday, September 8. She remained
gracious throughout the last difficult days, and was always ready with a “Thank
you”, “That feels so good” and “I love you so much”. We were very happy she could stay at home,
and it was an honor and a privilege to care for her. She inspired us every day. Her beautiful memory will stay with us
forever.
Chris liked to say “find
your village and love them hard”. The
fact that you are reading this means you are in Chris’s village and I guarantee
that she loved you hard. Chris had a
limitless capacity for love and spread it among everyone that she came into
contact with. I am not going to tell you
who Chris was or what her accomplishments were.
If you knew her…YOU KNEW HER. She
was as big as life and lived every moment to its fullest. It was exhausting just living with her.
It will come as no surprise
to most of you that Chris had her funeral fully planned. The band, the singers, the speakers, the
verses. Everything down to the last
minute. Unfortunately Covid has forced
us to change those plans and Chris came to accept that she wasn’t going to have
a big “going away party”. Our families
will be getting together on Monday, September 14th to have a private
service.
Besides family and faith
Chris had a number of important passions in her life. One was her love and commitment to helping
the marginalized in society and the other was to ensure that in everything she
did there was F.U.N. Even though you
won’t be with us on Monday you can certainly help us celebrate Chris’s
life. Think about taking a moment on
Monday (or everyday) and helping someone less fortunate. Also make sure to include the FUN FACTOR in
everything that you do. Make someone
laugh. Keep Chris in your memory and may
the thought of her inspire you every day.
In lieu of flowers and
sympathy cards please consider a donation to Chris’s charity,
Grannies Gone Global
Box 7,
Woodlands MB R0C 3H0
or a charity of your choice.
For more regarding Chris you
may enjoy this interview with Chris in 2017.
*John and Bev helped me write this.
Last night I put on an Alicia Keys album, took off my shoes, and danced with a big smile on my face. I figured you'd do the same for me Chris. For your family and dear ftiends this is a significant loss, but I can't help but be excited for how fully alive you are now. Hmm, can you actually get more fully alive than you were here in the flesh. See you some day friend of my youth. Love, Margruite (Hiebert) krahn
ReplyDeleteChris was an inspiration to every single person that she met. Chris will always be remembered by her big smile, her sincere love, and her contagious laugh. She lived life to the fullest and always made everyone feel important. I will never forget the good times that we had. It is an honor to be a part of her life! I know that you are resting in peace for you are Safe in the Arms of Jesus! Never forgotten ❤
ReplyDeleteOne of the outstanding characteristics of Chris was how she always wanted to ensure that everyone she met left feeling happier. She was naturally generous with her time, smile and encouragement. She has made such a positive impact in her 58 years on this earth. Chris absolutely had the fun factor integrated in everything she did. We can still see her dancing and we are sure she is continues to get everyone on the dance floor.
ReplyDeleteA shining star gone far too soon… we will never forget our very dear and wonderful friend, Christine. She was a leader in her profession and the community… a teacher, a mentor and a cheerleader for all. She was a philanthropist, a scholar and a superb athlete. Chris had so many plans for the future – so many things she wanted to do. A wonderful wife, daughter, step-mother, aunt, sister, friend and grandmother, Chris was above all, a champion for the underdog – always fighting and working to find ways for the marginalized and weak, to thrive and succeed. Christine adored all young people and gravitated towards them instantly. Whenever she saw Tate, Spence, and Caitlin, her squeals of delight at seeing them again – hugging them and asking them about their lives and dreams and hopes, was a joy to behold. I will never forget this friend of mine – a lady who I met later in life – someone I so admired and cherished. Our husbands became fast-friends as well – and along with our dear friends Dave & Cathy, the six of us were a tight unit for many wonderful years when we were lake neighbours at Lake St. George, and shared countless meals, games, fires, songs, laughter, music, books, dreams and projects! We will miss you forever Chris… Rest In Peace darling… thank you for all that you gave to us. We love you… Garry, Karen, Tate & Spence.
ReplyDeleteI am so thankful that I was part of Chris’s village. Chris inspired me every day. Her passion for education and her kind and fair leadership style is something that I try to emulate each day. So many quiet conversations that we had where she made me laugh and taught me something. She was my mentor and my friend. I will miss that smile and laughter but honestly I think it is part of me now. Chris, thank you for believing in me, in the good that I can do, thank you for loving my children and thank you for just being you, that was perfect.
ReplyDeleteChris will always be in my heart. 💞 A beautiful soul.
ReplyDeleteAll my love to John & family. Love Charna
It was my honour and privilege to work with Christine in MASS over the past years. She was a very generous and positive friend and colleague.
ReplyDeleteI cherish the lunch I shared with Christine, John and Paul shortly after I had announced my retirement.
Christine arrived full of life and optimism although she had already been diagnosed and was off of work herself.
Rather than lamenting her situation, she happily informed me that she was thankful for the 4 years of life she had been granted to enjoy her family - especially her young grandchildren.
She also presented me with a thoughtful and generous retirement gift which brought thoughts of her when I was able to enjoy it at a later time.
Christine lived an abundant life and in turn enriched the lives of all who had the privilege to know her.
Farewell my friend and colleague.
I was so honored to be part of Chris’ village! As a colleague and friend, Chris always inspired me to be a better person! Her love and care for others and zest for life was second to none!! You will always watch over those little starfish and you will continue to love, care for, protect and enrich their lives!
ReplyDeleteI will always love you, my dear friend! Rest In Peace!!
❤️ Sandy Stevenson
SOMETHING LIVING
ReplyDeleteThoughts of times well lived, now past; blow through my days on the winds of global change
..waves, like world events beat steadily upon my shoreline; pounding, yet gently, day and night
..all reminding me of a treasured heartbeat that has transcended - with a smile.. always a smile
..a spirit not to be denied - a village founded on justice, nurtured by dauntless faith in humanity.
I can still hear the sound of .. Ms Penner, Ms Penner! .. echoing through middle-school halls
..young voices, some adults now, uplifted through their middle-years – forever championed
through time, .. by a great athlete of body, spirit and soul – sharing her love of life and sunshine
..a comet streaking across endeavor horizons – sowing plans like apple seeds, with her Johnny.
Dignity for all – traditional, not egregious justice, but rather restorative – seeds first planted
in the Winnipeg North End, spreading across the Interlake School District – sustaining life
..empowering Manitoba’s Indigenous Grandmothers as they strive to raise leaders of tomorrow
..reaching out to Uganda – with open arms – an open heart and a great tenacity of spirit
..honoring life with every breath - energy now expanding through the spirit and lives of others.
……. lives of the children, life in middle-years, life of the marginalized, life of the Indigenous, life of the planet…. loving hard and something living throughout her village - for evermore…
As I try to listen to the wind and waves for answers, I envision Chris and Mother Teresa walking along the trail - sitting by a stream, hands entwined: sharing chocolate and laughing hard about the funny sides of daily life; and as well considering how best to uplift dignity for those marginalized. But the wind and waves can be loud in my ear and I wonder: WHAT ARE THEY SAYING EXACTLY?! Perhaps all in this village strive in our own way to listen as intently as possible, hoping to catch part of that conversation or even just a smile to be borrowed and payed forward ..