SHERRY LYNN DANGERFIELD

Sherry Lynn Dangerfield, born Winnipeg, February 12, 1954 to Helen Carol Davison, then Dangerfield (1927-2009) and James Crawford Dangerfield (1924-2005). Survived by older sister Deborah Joy Dangerfield, now Knispel, and her daughters Alexis Lauren Knispel, now Kanu, and Michaela Robin Knispel, now Mulligan.

I’m writing my own goodbye. This is part for friends and family, and part for historic record. Having researched ordinary people for museum projects, the obit is often all you can find. So, if in 200 years a distant relative wants to research the dead ends of the family tree this is also for her.

First, an apology to those I’m close to, sorry for not telling you. Some of you are carrying a lot, and I didn’t want a fuss. January 2025, out of the blue I was told “you have stage 4 lung cancer, with 7 ‘spots’ on your brain, maybe 3 or 4 months to live.” Surprisingly, not caused by smoking. Hard to believe because I feel fine. It’s the increasing brain spots that will cause my demise. I’m ok with dying. I’ve had a great life, lots of adventures, made some contributions, had wonderful friends. Given the state of the world, happy to go. I’ve opted for minimal treatment, then a painless death through MAID. Our medical system is full of so many kind, compassionate people.

There is one lovely person I told at the beginning, my friend Andy/André. He kept my secret, drove me when needed, and didn’t make a fuss. Thank you so much Andy. Give him a hug for me.

Marjorie and Pam, words can’t say how much I appreciate you. Tarra, who has the unenviable task of taking care of my estate, deserves a big hug too. Thanks for being so good to me Tarra and Mitch. Thanks Suzanne who turned a tiny nest egg into a pot of gold I’ve now donated to charity.

Here’s my story.

Described as fiercely independent, opinionated and generous, and lately brave and badass. I can also be bossy and a terrible interrupter. Passions – social justice, integrity, community, diversity, nature, music-particularly the blues, and CBC radio. A hard worker, with at least one job, often two. Volunteering was big, from boards and committees to schlepping at community events. Loved camping and canoe trips. Greatest joy - sailboarding at Patricia Beach, love you Neil. Cycling. As a kid road my CCM everywhere. Half of my time travelling in Europe was on my Peugeot. Later in Winnipeg rode my Sekine everywhere.

Grew up in “The Sticks”, south St. Vital near St. Amant. It was a small community just outside the city back then. Grateful for an idyllic childhood, for the most part. Everyone knew everyone and I felt safe. We ran wild. Parents had no idea where we were or what we were doing. Rode our bikes everywhere. Played on the river bank. Kicked-the-can with the kids on the street. Built forts in the bush. Made boats to sail on flooded ditches. Walked with friends to our six-room school called Minnetonka. Sorry for being late Dianne.

Fav childhood memory, chicken hunting with Mom, Dad and Deb. Warm fall day driving country roads till Dad found a block of bush he liked. Deb and I walked ahead to scare up the birds. When Dad got a grouse, it was time for a picnic on the wagon’s tailgate. Mom always prepared cold roast chicken and potato salad. They had rum and coke; we had coke.

As a teenager was influenced by the Hippie ethos. Took to heart the fight for social justice, which guided much of my life. Loved the music, clothes we made, men with long hair, LSD, youth counterculture and sense of community. It was a time of change and optimism, and some naivety for a girl from The Sticks.

Moved out of my parents’ house at 18. Had worked as a dental assistant since I was 15 so now worked full time to save money to travel. My uncle, posted to India/Pakistan, invited me to come take care of the kids. Lived on a houseboat in Kashmer. Thanks Jack and Jean for an amazing opportunity. When they were posted to Germany I went with them. That was the starting point for my epic adventure exploring Europe.

A school friend came to Germany. We bought Peugeot 10-speeds and headed for Ibiza. Many adventures getting there. Hung out on Ibiza with other young travellers looking for a wider world view. She left and I headed out on my own. Worked in a little hotel-café on the edge of Andora in the Pyrenees. Trained for my personal Tour de France by riding up the mountain. Rode west and followed the coast north and crossed into England. Rode about 100 km a day exploring the vineyards and towns. Lots of adventures. Travelling alone on a bike opens you to wonderful experiences and opportunities to meet people. It’s also dangerous. Carried a hammer across my handlebars, which also kept creeps out of my tent at night. Left my Peugeot in London and hitched to Edinburgh. Worked in a hotel for six months.

Left Edinburgh, headed to the mainland. At one point I was living on $4/day, including my Gauloises. Always been a media junkie, only access to current news in English was a mag like TIME. Couldn’t afford to buy so travellers traded for it.

After a while travelling has a rhythm to it. Wake up in a hostel, or tent on the outskirts of town. Drink strong coffee. Fill up on bread. Hitch to the next place. Was travelling by train at points. Met many good people. “You, who are on the road…”

Wanted to see Berlin. The wall was still up. Hitched to Helmstedt on the West-East German border. Met a couple my age in a park and they offered me a bed for the night. They explained the difficulty to get into Berlin along the 100 km corridor, authorities take your passport and no stopping once you start driving. The woman came with me and we stayed with a friend of hers in Berlin. We went to the checkpoint and hitched. Some young people picked us up. We talked human rights and geopolitics the whole way there. Berlin was fantastic, full of political young people from around the world. Bars, with amazing music, stayed open until dawn. Fav city.

Returned to Canada with a new appreciation for all we have here, particularly our vast natural lands. Got an apartment on River Avenue and a couple of jobs. One was cutting grass for the city; I was one of the first women hired for that job. Put myself through university, BA at U of W. Volunteered at Klinic’s Rape Crisis Program. On the board of Manitoba Action Committee for Status of Women, and the Violence Against Women subcommittee. Did everything from commenting on bills before parliament and presenting to commissions, to public education on VAW, facilitating discussions on “This is not a love story” and glueing porn shop doors closed.

Got a job at Manitoba’s first women’s centre, which was just starting up. Between the staff and volunteers, we did important work. It became a model for other women’s centres. Made friendships that have lasted a lifetime. The 15 years I was emersed in the women’s movement were the most rewarding of my life. We dealt with horrendous things, but we had a strong community and were making the world a better place. Loved letting loose at women-only socials, dancing wildly to “Sisters”. Two years ago, I would have said we have made progress, but with the rise of fascism… Breaks my heart to go out on this backwards slide. Please help the women of Afghanistan.

That work takes its toll. Returned to university for a Masters of Natural Resources Management. Greatly influenced by “Our Common Future”. Plan was to become a park manager but didn’t happen. Worked as a park interpreter during summers, Whiteshell Provincial Park and Birds Hill Provincial Park. Another group of amazing people who I’m so grateful to have known, love you to bits.

Started my own business as an Interpretive Planner, creating interpretive trails, signs, pamphlets, did 30 trails across the province including the signage for the Trans Canada Trail across Manitoba. Taught interpretation at Red River College and different organizations. Later got into creating exhibits, interpretive centres and small museums. Met so many inspiring people, both clients and subcontractors. Cathy you always made our work look good, I appreciate all you did. Thank you. Retired 2021.

Bought a house in the forest in 2009. Have made good friends in this small community. Drew and Mindy thank you for everything, especially The Kid. I’ve come full circle. Back to living in a small community surrounded by forest, now boreal instead of riverbottom.

Thank you all for being part of my life. Sad to leave you, particularly The Kid. If I’m wrong Kid and there is an afterlife I’ll see you there. If not, we will cycle back into the universe. “For what is it to die but to stand naked in the wind and to melt into the sun?”

Celebration of Life at Hawthorn Estates, Wednesday, October 7 at 1:00pm. If you’d like to make a donation, please consider Right to Learn Afghanistan.

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