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SELMA CONCORDIA (PENNER) IRWIN
Born: Apr 10, 1934
Date of Passing: Nov 16, 2014
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemorySELMA CONCORDIA (PENNER) IRWIN April 10, 1934 November 16, 2014 Selma passed away at Riverview Health Centre at the age of 80 years. Predeceased by my parents Nicholas and Agatha Penner, brother Nick, sister Helen, brother-in-law Peter Kroeger and husband Ross, the love of my life. Survived by my daughter Kim (Greg) Ariano and son Jon (Suzette Vinci) Irwin, grandchildren Jason Ariano and Jodi (Rick) Reynolds and great-grandchildren Haylee and Kenzie Reynolds, sister Margaret Penner, brother Alvin Penner and sister-in-law and dear friend Eileen Penner as well as my loving, caring nieces and nephews and their families. At age 15 I left home to further my education and find my path in life. I spent three years at boarding school away from my family. As a graduate of the Grace Hospital School of nursing, I spent two years as a flight attendant with Trans Canada Airlines and 40 years nursing in various health facilities in Ontario and Manitoba, including 10 years with Medical Services in Northwestern Ontario. After a near death experience in 1979, it was quite clear to me that I had a choice in how I would live my life. I had already realized that my interest lay in a more holistic way of healing the sick and I pursued that path through my studies in Therapeutic Touch, Healing Touch, and Reflexology, all energy based healing through touch and intention. I started to meditate, practiced yoga and walked the Labyrinth in my search for the "Holy" in life and discovered that God was in everyone and everything. God's church was the whole wide world, where all were given the gift of choice. The rest is up to us. Cycling and walking slowed my journey and allowed me time to experience the wonders of life on this planet, and the wonders of nature and it's people, all of which taught me life lessons along the way. Wandering through South America for six months, cycling across Canada for 10 weeks and walking the Camino in Spain twice for five weeks each time, gave me the courage to follow my dreams, just by trusting people and having faith that the Universe would care for me. Those beliefs are the strengths that carried me through life's journeys, including my final one with ALS. Early in my retirement, I had the good fortune to cross paths with Kathy Knowles, founder and director of the OSU Children's Library Fund, who had a passion for reading and promoting literacy in Ghana, West Africa. I volunteered for this amazing organization for the next 14 years, until my illness prevented me from continuing. Thank you God. Thank you for a loving, caring family, faithful friends, and all the caregivers who became new friends. Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is all we have. Live in the present! When we are long, long gone The things that will matter Are that love we shared And the way that we cared When we are long, long gone Walk in Peace. A Celebration of Selma's life will be held on Thursday, November 20, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. from Mosaic Funeral Chapel, 1839 Inkster Blvd. Winnipeg, Manitoba. In lieu of flowers, you can send your donations through these websites http://www.operationsmile.org and http://www.osuchildrenslibraryfund.ca. For online condolences or to light a memorial candle please log onto www.mosaicfunerals.ca 1839 Inkster Blvd. 1006 Nairn Ave. 204-275-5555
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 19, 2014
Condolences & Memories (6 entries)
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My Aunt Sally was an amazing, beautiful woman, inside and out. I am so lucky to have been her niece, she taught me and my cousins so many things and we all have amazing memories of all the good times we spent together. It was so nice to hear the last words she wrote, well done Aunt Sally! Love you always. - Posted by: Shanne Penner (Niece) on: Nov 25, 2014
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Our deepest sympathy to Sally's family, from The Canadian Company of Pilgrims, Winnipeg chapter. - Posted by: Ivor Lockhart () on: Nov 21, 2014
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I’d like to share a few thoughts from Eileen, Gabriel and myself about Sally’s generous and spontaneous gift of friendship. Eileen tells me that last Sunday she sat in her Mexican garden - in which she and Sally had spent many hours together - and looked at the flowers and thought for a long time about all the good times they’d had. There were so many, in a friendship that flourished and deepened over sixty years. There are so many things I love about Sally. Not least of which was the sheer pleasure of loping along beside her, whether in Assiniboine Park or between villages in Mexico, and, as we hiked, the rhythm of our talk. And, of course, that wonderfully spontaneous way of hers, of throwing an arm around you in a sudden, affectionate hug. One of Sally’s wonderful gifts was her delight in other people’s creativity, their projects, their plans, and the journeys they embarked on to make things happen. As she, too, set off on many journeys and made so many good things happen! Ten years ago, Gabriel joined this circle of friendship - to his and Sally’s reciprocal joy in discovering each other’s unprejudiced and open nature. On Thursday, here in Mexico, we’ll be planting a tree for Sally. It’s called a Primavera, which means “Springtime”. This tree takes seven years to anchor its roots, to strengthen its trunk and to spread its generous limbs. And then, in the seventh springtime and in all that follow, it bursts forth in a magnificent cloud of yellow blossoms. It’s a sight to behold. On the hillside below, there’s a meandering road which is a favourite of walkers. We fancy that in years to come, Sally’s tree will give to all who glance up and see it, something of what she gave to us: a radiant joy. Eileen Penner Wendy Penner Magaña, Gabriel Magaña - Posted by: Eileen Penner, Wendy & Gabriel Magana (Sister-in-law, Niece and her husband) on: Nov 20, 2014
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My condolences to the whole family. What an amazing person she was. - Posted by: Tim Penner () on: Nov 19, 2014
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Sally was a very special woman. I enjoyed our talks whenever I saw her. Her humanity and spirituality will always be an inspiration to me. Know that she and you are in my thoughts and prayers. - Posted by: Joëlle (Friend of Suzette and Jon) on: Nov 19, 2014
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R.I.P. Sally--will miss you. Alice - Posted by: alice rattai cline (55B Grace Hospital Classmate and friend for 62 years) on: Nov 19, 2014
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